OLD MAN AND THE SEA

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Summary: A good book with some lengthy parts, but overall a good read
Review: "This is a book just about fishing". Many people think this is what The Old Man and The Sea is about, but it more than just fishing. It is about the struggle of a man, Santiago, to catch his fish, and his perseverance through all odds. He is an old man, but he is determined, and he never gives up on reaching his goal. Even though there are a good sixty or so pages of Santiago being dragged by the fish, the pages pass quickly due to Hemingways great writing style. This book at first glance may appear boring, but if you get to discuss it with a book club or classmates, you will discover that it is a great book with multiple hidden meanings that are fun to read.

Rating:
Summary: A good underlying meaning, but far too drawn out
Review: To be completely honest, "The Old Man and the Sea" is not a book I particularly cared for. I thought that too much time was taken to describe the fishing trip. I thought that the overall idea had a very powerful underlying meaning, but I feel he wrote about it the wrong way. The struggles Santiago had to undergo were very important aspects in this book, but they were too drawn out and that often caused me to lose interest in the novel. So, in conclusion, I liked the idea of self-respect in the face of defeat and being a true hero, but the book was uninteresting and far too lengthy in many of the passages.

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Summary: I thought it was an interesting portrayal of a hero
Review: The Old Man and the Sea had some really interesting thoughts in it that made me think about hero's in a new way. The story of Santiago's struggles and how he returned with no physical rewards or prizes, seemed very relatable, very realistic. I really admired the old fisher, amazed at what he endured, and sympathetic to his fate. It would have been romantic if he had returned with his marlin, and the story had ended happily. However, just like you learn from struggles in life, I learned a lot more from the struggles in the book. The thing that I liked the most about the book was that Hemingway challenged most people's view (at least in the western world) of a hero. I liked that he showed in this story that the superficial and worldly prizes aren't necessary to make a human being worthy of admiration. Also, just like the tourist's at the end didn't understand what the fisherman had gone through, most people don't recognize the true hero's that are alive now, but not to let that discourage you. Though the story was sad, I really enjoyed it. It made me think that maybe, even though though I might not become wealthy or beautiful or famous, that I still might attain true worth through obstacles that I face and overcome, by my character, not my prizes.

Rating:
Summary: It captured my interest for a book I would normally pass up
Review: Over the last few months, I had the pleasure of reading Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea. I found the book extremely easy, fast reading, and interesting. The constant struggles of Santiago were particularly interesting in the way it was described. Not only could you get the sense of what he was feeling, but also you felt as if you were in the boat alongside him. Where others may find his time at sea drawn out and uninteresting, I thought it only added to the fascinating complex and personality of the book itself. Even though I am a strict science fiction reader, I found that this book captured my attention and kept me turning the pages.

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Summary: I got it!!
Review: In the tradition of great Ernest Hemingway books, The Old Man and the Sea is another success. In my opinion the book was written and very descriptive. The caracter Santiago was close to being an excellent example of a Christ-like figure. The last chapter of the book you get a good comparison of Santiago to Christ on the Cross. The book really shows the similarities. Manolin was also a interesting representation of a disiple. He looked up to Santiago as Jesus' disiples had done. I would very much so recommend this book to anyone it is easy for kids to read but still entertaining enough for adults.

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Summary: Hemingway shows a new side of the sea
Review: I found this novel exceptionally detailed. The author let you get to know Santiago without writing a complete biography. I especially liked the fact that Hemingway gave a little information about Santiago's previous adventures. The conflict with the sea was a popular subject in the years previous to the writing of this novel. Yet Hemingway introduced his readers to a new side of the sea. Santiago saw the sea as a friend that harbored a brother. The sea gave people food, and was a very peaceful place. This is totally opposite to the sea in Mellville's Moby Dick. Personally I would recomend this book for anyone to read on a rainy day.

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Summary: It was a wonderful story with a great lesson about life.
Review: This is a classic work of literature. The Old Man and the Sea was an enjoyable reading experience, because it shows the indomitable will of a determined man. The man I am talking about is Santiago, who goes through many trials and tribulations while trying to catch the fish. The Old Man and the Sea is full of symbolism. Hemingway once said, "The old man is the old man, the boy is the boy, the sea is a sea, the fish is the fish, the sharks are like all other sharks no better or no worse, and the rest of the is what you get out of it." but I believe he was kidding because you can't read this book and not find any symbolism. An example of this is the fish. I believe the fish represents what all of mankind strives for but few will reach, which is greatness. Santiago reaches greatness when he defeats the fish and beats the sea. Santiago and his struggle with the fish taught me a lesson about life. It taught me that anyone can do anything, but there is always a price to pay. Santiago's price was his health and time, but to him it was worth it. He got his prize, he got what he wanted, and was happy about it. I admire that.

Rating:
Summary: I didn't get it
Review: I thought the Old Man and the Sea wasn't very good. I thought the beginning was good and captured my attention, but as the book went on it got very dull. When he was following the fish the imagery was good, but it was boring. I also didn't get the comparison to God. I really don't think that it was intentional of Hemmingway to have Santiago to appear as a Christ-like figure. I think that people just read into the book to far. I would not recommend this book to anyone and I only read it because it was required for my English class.

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Summary: The True person Inside Review By Jared Street
Review: Santagio was an old man with a dream. He wanted to please his one and only friend and disdciple Manolin. Hemingway showed that if you ignore the pains of society you would always prevail no matter how bad your life is. Santiago went out to sea to fish and he only came back with only a skeleton. Santagio fished for many day and only came back with the shell of his prize, but knew in his heart that he was an all around winner. The moral of the story is that if you think you are a winner in your mind you are a winner no matter who you are and what you have done.

Rating:
Summary: A classic. One of Hemingway's best.
Review: Once started, unputdownable. A classic tale of struggle against the elements and fate. A wonderful reminder of what writing can be. Today's authors such as Clancy, Grisham, King, etc., good as they are, should read and re-read this tale as a refresher for their art.