I suppose this should get at least a star for making catching a single fish last 90 pages.
I first read this in school and was indocrinated by a teacher into believing it was good. Some formative years further down the line - it has left me very disappointed.
I have enjoyed some of Hemingway's stuff, and not enjoyed others and have endured for he is recorded as one of Chandler's inspirations. A lot of credit is bestowed upon Hemingway for his "iceberg" approach to writing - say a little, mean a lot, but I think he even misses out on that one great strength of his in this story.
Character - completely lacking. There is one central, narrating character that is an old fisherman whose only flaws are his deteriorating physical strength. He is a man whose luck and skill is leaving him but he carries on regardless. It's a fairly admirable arrangement but provides little in the way of intrigue or emotional stimulation. The only other significant human character is a young boy who features briefly and is as simple-minded and golden-hearted as the fisherman. The final character is the swordfish - which is a fish....
Plot - An old man sits in a boat and tries to catch a fish. If he succeeds he survives, if he doesn't he still survives. Hold onto your hats!
Metaphor / Allegory - none. If anyone tells you otherwise they are projecting meaning onto something painfully simplistic.
At least it wasn't long...
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