Rating: 
Summary: Not the best of Hemingway's novels, but still a good book
Review: I am giving this book a 3 stars, but I consider this on the more "positive" side of the 3 then the negative. I believe that "The Old Man and The Sea" is not one of Hemingway's best works, however there are many aspects of this novel and themes covered that make this a significant novel. I teach this novel and find many students complaining about the lack of action. This book's main point, or moral, is the theme of struggling against the obstacles in life. What many do not realize is that much of the book is symbolic, with characters (Santiago, Manolin, the fish) representing allegorical figures of society. It might help to first look online for some reviews of this novel before plunging into the book if you are unsure about giving this novel a try. As usual, Hemingway uses simple structure in his narration. However, the book's structure is like this for a reason, and there are variable changes in structure and point of view as you read. The bottom line is that a reader might want to know a little about the symbolism and themes presented before beginning reading this novel.
Rating: 
Summary: For grammar lovers
Review: Hemingway... Fish... Personally, when I read this book, I felt a bit seasick. I love novels of colors and flavors, novels with variety and awkward sentences. The Old Man and the Sea would certainly get an 800 on the SAT II, but, well, Shakespeare would've barely gotten the 200 for his name. Still not comprehending? Once upon a time, in all of our lives, we have had to take a course titled "grammar." If you enjoy simple sentences that get the point across quickly and bluntly, this book will by far exceed your greatest expectations. Hemingway is for the impatient readers. However, if you, like myself, love writing that is more poetic than 8th-grade-english-class, I would highly recommend reading a brief summary of the book and getting on with life.
Rating: 
Summary: The ultimate story of "being in the now"
Review: I am not a Buddhist nor do I claim to be, but the notion of living simply and honestly is my goal in life. I bought this book in a effort to read some of the modern classics that I had either read as a child or missed out on. This story floored me. At points brought me to tears. Hemmingway's use of the language is mesmerizing. One man's struggle with old age, the elements, fatigue, self doubt. His triumph in a days old battle, only to be confronted with new struggles and failures. His respect for the fish is next to worship and soon turns to apologetic sorrow. In modern society we can only imagine this type of stuggle. Only possibly in war do we possess this type of mutual respect and reckless passion. Much more than the required reading I remembered.
Rating: 
Summary: Self-affirming!
Review: Hemingway had my heart loving his protagonist, Santiago, within the first two pages -- because of the old man's eyes that were "cheerful and undefeated," and because of the affection and respect he'd earned from the boy who'd fished with him. This is a classic story of (mostly) internal conflict. Though the story moves a bit slowly in the middle, Santiago's affirmations to himself are a model to us in modern situations. I now refer to myself as "Santiago" when I'm needing courage.
Rating:
Summary: hear me complain
Review: This is part of my -- required -- summer reading. And if I didn't have to I wouldn't have read it, so I'm not recommending it. It is part of the required summer reading list for English Honors, and this, among other classics, makes the rest of this required summer reading not look good. Yes, nice story, nice characters ... yada yada. About a simple man who goes out to sea to catch a fish that ends up dragging him out ... everyone has heard the story. But still everyone has to read it anyway. Why do they call this a classic? I have yet to understand classics, why they call them classics, and why the heck we have to read them. Classics novels are just one of the reasons high school is overrated. A large percentage of people think this book is incredibly boring, (and oh they have reason!), and I think I have an answer to why ... (as if they are not clear enough). There IS NO CONFLICT. Oh yes, you could say that the problem is the fish dragging him out to sea, but that is nothing. Most books, (or shall I say "most GOOD books") have a conflict in which the characters and grow and change around the problem. By the end of the book they have different personality traits and they've had vast character changes. But in this book, (just as in THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, another boring classic I had to read this summer), the main character doesn't change at all throughout the entire story. This gets two stars, because I am sure there is some hidden meaning or emotion or purpose to this book that I have missed. Maybe everyone loves this book and it is called a classic and we are forced to read it for a reason ... or, most likely, not. If you would like to hear a character, (surrounded by simple and bland characters just like him), reflect upon simple things as a fish drags him out to sea, please read this book. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ SOMETHING WITH DEPTH AND MEANING, PLEASE READ ANY OTHER BOOK. Thank you and enjoy your reading experience.
Rating:
Summary: A memorable story
Review: If you are going to read anything by Hemingway, begin with this work. Hemingway had a very simple style of writing which appeals to me as the mental images he paints with his words seem to last and bury themselves into your consciousness. I read this book in about 2 hours and I am a slow reader, but the ideas that he presented were so vivid and the story so touching, it is without a doubt one of my favorites. My father was a fisherman, and this work touched me deeply on many different levels. Excellent!
Rating:
Summary: If You Like Hemingway, You Love This One!
Review: And if you DON'T like Hemingway, you'll like this little gem regardless! Maybe you read it (or the Cliff notes), but give it a re-read and savor its sweet and not-so-esoteric message. One of those rare works that evokes different emotions from the reader depending on the circumstances of the reading. Wherever, whenever, you choose to reexamine this classic, you will be glad you did. And if you HAVEN'T read it: shame on you!! Grab it now!
Rating: 
Summary: "The Old Man and the Snore."
Review: "The Old Man and the Sea" should be changed to "The Old Man and the Snore." This book doesn't even deserve 1 star. Symbolism is flowing faster than a faucet in this book, so be prepared. Read this book when you are wide-awake, as you may fall asleep when the Old Man is talking to himself, when he is alone at sea. Again, this is another book I do not understand why is required reading in high school, as I got nothing out of it but a good nap. I do not recommend.
Rating:
Summary: My review
Review: Review of The Old Man and the Sea
By Ernest Hemingway The book The Old Man and the Sea is about an old man named Santiago, who is an older Cuban fisherman. Santiago was going on eighty-four days without a good catch, returning to the dock empty handed again and again. Santiago's apprentice, Manolin was forced by his parents to find another boat to shadow because the old man's bad luck would soon rub off onto their son. When the old man gains enough energy to make a big day out to the sea, he finds himself encountered with a big marlin, one that he couldn't possibly carry back to shore on his own. But, as it is said, the elders always know. The turning point in this novel comes when the old man comes encounter with the nibbling on his lines and soon finds he has finally received a bite. In my opinion, I think that Ernest Hemingway is a very talented and experienced writer, his style of writing is simple, but complex all at once. His choices of words are very elaborate, but his story line is very basic and simple. I really am enjoying Hemingway's writings, but I could see why some would not. I would recommend this book to anyone who like a simple and plain story line, but like to go to the deeper level with literature and look at the symbolism in the novel.
Rating:
Summary: The Sharks Out There
Review: This is a slim book full of moves that hit you without your lifting a hand to defend yourself. The old man goes out to sea, catches the biggest fish out there, and brings it back lashed to the side of his boat. On the way in, the sharks attack the dead fish and leave only the skeleton. He thinks of Joe DiMaggio. A simple story full of feints and jabs. The words are mostly one syllable. The paragraphs are spare and lean. I have gone out to sea and caught the biggest fish out there. You have all gone out and caught the big one also: the big promotion, the fastest computer, the biggest SUV, the big house on the big lot. We have all been there. We have each of us chased and caught the thing we were chasing. Keeping the damn thing is another story: your new staff has loyalties to the boss you just replaced; the computer crashes; the SUV takes so much money to keep; and the house needs maintence. Little by little, the sharks start nibbling at your prize. Only the heroes rest. The sharks stay away from heroes. The sharks just circle the hero at a safe distance. This book is not a story about a fish. The book is really about the fighter, who moves and feints then jabs at the sharks closing in on him. After you have read this little book, forget about the fish. The fish is gone. They ate it. Just think of all the other things the book is really about.
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