Book title: The Old Man and the Sea
ISBN: 9780099908401
Author: Ernest Hemingway
Publisher: Arrow
You did not kill the fish only to keep alive and to sell for food, he thought. You killed him for pride and because you are a fisherman. You loved him when he was alive and you loved him after. If you love him, it is not a sin to kill him. Or is it more?
– Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954
At Columbia University, all postgrads, regardless of their major, faced one common challenge: reading 10 classics.
And not over a semester or even a month — nope, just six weeks.
To be honest, I wasn’t making much progress.
Reading had never really been my thing, and my English? Let’s just say it left a lot to be desired.
But I was determined to change that in the years to come.
I decided to start with “The Old Man and the Sea” rather than Dostoevsky’s “The Meek One”.
Why Hemingway? Well, on the first day of our Literature Humanities (LitHum) class, the assignment was to choose a book from the “100 Books to Read in a Lifetime” list.
Since Hemingway’s classic frequently appeared on those lists, I decided to start there.
“The Old Man and the Sea”, written by Ernest Hemingway in 1951, is often considered his last major work published during his lifetime.
Though it’s short — under 100 pages — it packs a much bigger punch than many longer books on my shelf.
In fact, it’s the second smallest book I own, just after Dostoevsky’s “The Meek One”, but it occupies a massive place in my heart and mind.
If you’ve been following my weekly columns, you’ve probably noticed I reference it often, whether I’m writing about math or life.
In some strange way, Hemingway is a bit of a mathematician himself, but that’s a topic for another day.
The story revolves around an old fisherman, a young boy, and a majestic fish.
Santiago, the old man, hasn’t caught anything in 84 days, and the locals have started calling him “salao” — the worst kind of unlucky.
He used to be strong, sharp, and successful, always returning home with the best catches.
Now, he is aged, poor, and spends his days alone.
The one bright spot in Santiago’s life is Manolin, the young boy he trained.
But even Manolin’s parents have forbidden him from fishing with Santiago, fearing his bad luck will rub off.
Still, the boy loves Santiago and brings him food and tea, keeping him company with endless conversations — especially about Santiago’s favorite subject: American baseball.
On the 85th day, determined to change his luck, Santiago heads out alone into the Gulf Stream. It isn’t long before a huge fish, likely a Marlin, bites.
But this fish isn’t going down without a fight.
Santiago, just as stubborn, holds on. What follows is a battle between two determined souls — man and fish — both refusing to give up.
“But man is not made for defeat,” Santiago says. “A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”
Hemingway’s characters are some of the most genuine and brave I’ve encountered.
Santiago is a man whose body may be old, but his spirit remains unwavering.
His respect for the sea, which he calls La Mar — a term of endearment — adds depth to his character.
“The old man always thought of her as feminine, something that gave or withheld great favours. If she did wild or wicked things, it was because she could not help them. The moon affects her as it does a woman, he thought.”
Santiago, for me, is impossible not to admire. He respects the Marlin, calling it noble, and apologises to it even as he fights to win.
He knows what he’s doing is cruel and questions the nature of it all — why humans commit such violence against the beauty of nature.
What stands out most about “The Old Man and the Sea” is how Hemingway turns such a simple story into a masterpiece.
It proves that you don’t need complex plots or prose to create something profound.
Even the fish — the Marlin — is a significant character in its own right.
The life lessons Santiago teaches as he battles for survival are woven into every page.
That said, it’s not the easiest read if you’re unfamiliar with fishing techniques and jargon.
I found myself googling terms often, but that only enhanced the experience.
The book’s slower pace might deter some readers, but once you push through, it’s worth every moment.
The climax is what truly elevates the story.
Hemingway’s ability to weave tragedy into beauty makes this book a timeless classic.
If you’re anything like me — a sensitive reader — you’ll likely shed a tear or two for Santiago and his unbreakable spirit.
And the bond between Santiago and Manolin? It’s a reminder that true friendship knows no age limit.
Though the book is short, it isn’t an easy read. It requires patience, especially in the middle when things slow down a bit.
But trust me, the payoff is worth it.
If you don’t like slow reads or aren’t a fan of classics, you might want to skip it.
For me, having just finished re-reading it, I already miss it.
Whenever I hear the title “The Old Man and the Sea”, I’m immediately transported back to that fishing boat with Santiago, watching him struggle with the great fish, and wishing for the boy beside him, murmuring, “I wish I had the boy…”
