Old Man and the Sea

[averygoodun42]

Finally read it.

What to say... hum. First is that Hemingway is a brilliant writer when it comes to short stories. His spare use of words and simple style leaves a lot of room to breathe, and the stories he tells need that breathing room. I'm not sure I will ever try to read his novels, though, because that style would get tedious over the long haul.

But, for this novella, I was actually gripped by the tension he created with the characters of poverty, a simplistic old man (I think he was aiming for simple, but... well... see next paragraph, please) and the sea. And the fish. Can't forget the fish. They're family after all.

That said... I was thrown out of the book several times by the paternalistic tone, wrongness (I'm sorry, but I cannot believe that any sea fisherman alive does not know names of the stars, whether Greek or indigenous. Fishermen more or less INVENTED the bloody star-watching thang!) or just wondering what my uncles (professional fisherman) thought of it. My guess is they didn't think much of it. I'd be curious what my cousin, who has lived (and possibly fished) in Cuba, thinks of it.

But yeah. Surprisingly gripping story about a man too stubborn to know when to quit and his pride.

However, I liked Chocolat better.


Next up: Black Sheep, Charity Girl, A Prayer for Owen Meany or Lamb: The Gospel according to Biff, Christ's Best Pal. I'll decide tomorrow. Right now, I think I'll go watch episode 7 of Due South.

Comments

[irishredlass.livejournal.com]

I have to say that I did not care for that Hemingway or any that I have read. I tend to find his writing dry and sexist. I am glad you enjoyed it though.

[averygoodun.livejournal.com]

This was a glowing review I gave it, wasn't it? ;-)

The misogyny was kept to a minimum in this story, which was what part of what made it readable. Dry... that's basically what I meant by room to breathe. It works for short stories, but isn't my favorite style, either.