The Old Man and the Sea

I have read this book 9 yrs ago. I still remember the characters and the details, which rarely happens with me. I have swallowed many a renowned and award winnig books after that (managed to digest a few!) I can say it is one the best books I have ever read for it takes you on an incredible journey. A must read for every book lover.

This is a story of an old man who hasn’t been able to catch a fish for last 84 days. People start calling him “Salao”, worst form of unluck and make fun of him. A young boy believes in him and goes to fishing with man as he believes there’s a lot to learn from old man. Although he has to go for fishing with some other guys at end because of his parent’s will but he’s unhappy about decision and wants to be with old man. On 85th day old man goes alone and he catches a fish (which turns out to be a giant fish). Story turns around then when man has to spend 3 days in water and fish is not giving up to be caught. Old man eats small fish this time and he gets bruises in his hands. He thinks he’s going crazy and asks to be clear in head. He has slept very less. He talks to fish and consider him brother. How old man saves himself and fish from sharks.
To me this is a story where author has tried to explain how we constantly keep on fighting and explaining our inner friend/enemy. Where we explain why we did this, especially wrong and how much it matters to our lives. This is not just about my happiness or your hurt but many others whom we are treating.

Like the old man in the book you might get lost into sea literally, if you get bored in between. The language is simple, even though you might find it difficult for some of the fishing related terms.

The book is supposed to be shortest novella by the famous author which also brought him esteemed Pulitzer and Nobel prize. It is also his last major novel.

Till page 70-75 it feels long and boring but shows some inspiring courage and determination of the lead character. It starts with describing his relationship with fisher-boy and the old man's bad luck of not catching anything for days together. Then its slow tale of him holding on to hooked giant Marlin fish on his skiff or small boat, waiting it to get tired out of starvation, after which he could kill the fish easily which takes few days to do so.

After page 70-75 the fish is dead and tied to his boat but the other creatures of sea start to threaten to rip off the meat of his prized catch, finally losing it all. This part was interesting for me. It shows that sometimes everything goes against your wish.

This book is good-read for long weekend, I feel.

Flipkart delivery was good as usual. Usually if I order for Indian books I would get it next day itself. But this time I ordered two foreign authored books and so it got up to three days to reach home.

I ordered this book in Flipkart. I received it the next day. Reading a classic requires lot of patience. This book is not an ordinary book to browse. I must be read very deeply and slowly. Its a real master piece, and for an extra information this Novel has no female characters.

as it is said,when the going gets tough the tough gets going,such is the old man.it was tough indeed to venture the sea and get the sword fish but despite all the hinderances he went.this what i got to know from my teacher,i found it so interesting that the next day i ordered it from flipkart and was with it just the next day.with great interest i went through it and much more in the novel than my teacher had told me.eventually what more i got know is that a man can be defeated but not destroyed.such should be our own life.

and special thanks to flipkart for such a hefty discount and fast delivery.