The Old man and the Sea by Ernst Hemingway

The Old Man and the Sea

By Ernst Hemingway 

Rating 4.75/5 

Genres : Literary Fiction, Award Winning, 2022-read 

An old man has been a successful and well known fisherman most of his life. He hasn't been having much luck of late and is despondent as a result. After about three months of no catch, the old man sets off on his hunt skeptical of catching anything. But this time something unexpected happens. He thinks a regular fish has caught his bait but doesn't know how big a fish it is until it drags the boat a long way into the sea and then starts circling around to get to him. Determined to capture it and sell it for a huge profit, the old man spears it in the chest and kills it. He ties it to a skiff of his boat and start his journey back. 

The blood which is spilled during the killing attracts many sharks from the depths of the sea. The first one to attack is a Mono shark and he loses his harpoon killing it. The second is a set of shovel nosed sharks and he successfully kills them albeit minor damage to his fish. The third one breaks his only defense left. Despite his body aching from the thursts and the exhaustion creeping into his bones, he keeps up his fight. He loses as he is approaching his land and a pack of sharks finish off the fish leaving behind only its huge skeleton. He has used up much of his energy and will power on this journey and this resembles very much the life of a man who strives to win against impossible odds fates throw at him. Should he give up right away knowing the end to be only defeat? Or keep fighting a hopeless/useless game that consumes much energy and self confidence? Would luck have been different if it was a different man? 

It's a poignant and beautiful story that is simple in writing yet evoking strong emotions. I so wanted the old man to win and atleast bring a part of the fish back home intact. But such is not his luck. Does he get up and resume life with renewed vigor or give up fighting feeling defeated? What has fate in store for this beaten man?

Note : This book has won a pulitzer prize and novel prize the next year for Mr.Hemmingway.