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The Old Man and the Sea  By  cover art

The Old Man and the Sea

By: Ernest Hemingway
Narrated by: Donald Sutherland
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Publisher's summary

The Old Man and the Sea is one of Hemingway's most enduring works. Told in language of great simplicity and power, it is the story of an old Cuban fisherman, down on his luck, and his supreme ordeal, a relentless, agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. Here Hemingway recasts, in strikingly contemporary style, the classic theme of courage in the face of defeat, of personal triumph won from loss.

Written in 1952, this hugely successful novella confirmed Hemingway's power and presence in the literary world and played a large part in his winning the 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature.

©1952 Ernest Hemingway (P)2006 Simon and Schuster Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon and Schuster Audio Division, Simon and Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

  • Audie Award Finalist, Solo Narration - Male, 2007

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What listeners say about The Old Man and the Sea

Average customer ratings
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Tender, gut-wrenching, impossibly sad

fFrst of all, I would listen to Donald Sutherland read the phone book.
I don't need to tell anyone here that Hemingway is one of the all-time greats, but I've always found this story to be his most gentle, most kind and, as I'm getting older, his saddest of stories. There were a few days that I just couldn't bear to turn it on, so it took longer to finish than it might have. Ultimately, it's a recording that I'm sure I'll listen to again.

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Beautifully sad and uplifting story.

Loved listening to Donald Sutherland. The story was beautiful. I felt like I was experiencing everything along side the Old Man.

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Impeccably done, Mr. Sutherland is a Master!

I read this in junior highschool and it was great, but hear Donald Sutherland tell the story, wow, a new level of amazing!! Loved it.

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Wonderful story!

Loved it might even re-read it! it was intriguing and made you sit on the edge of you seat for every moment!

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Why on earth do people think Hemingway is so good

Would you listen to The Old Man and the Sea again? Why?

Well if you want a compelling, character driven, poetic journey in literature with the salt water spraying in your face and your hands stinging as the line cuts in to you along with the old man, this is it. Don't make any other plans for 2 and a half hours this isn't one you can listen to in pieces.

What did you like best about this story?

Have you ever noticed great stories are not about anything much? but every line transports you to the scene? 3D in your mind, TV/Movies have nothing on this.

What about Donald Sutherland’s performance did you like?

Easy flowing, effortless performance, you can feel his excitement as he reads, he is as anxious to read as you are to listen.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Life played out on the sea

Any additional comments?

No wonder Hemingway got the Noble prize for Literature, I'm on to the next Hemingway epic.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great story

At times the audio was difficult to hear but headphones solved this issues. If you were not in a place where headphones worked this maybe an issue.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Summer reading

The narrator did a good job. I struggled to finish this book but I pushed through as it was needed for summer reading.

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Profound

This was the first Hemingway book I’ve ever read (listened to) I think this is up there with one of the most beautifully written stories I’ve ever heard. It has an ineffable quality, the words and concepts just bounce around in your mind and take you to places somewhere in the human soul. Narration is also beautiful.

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A Cuban drama

An earthy, organic, and descriptive story which pulls the reader along with a salty deep blue sea world of wonderment.

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a book that I read in High School in about 1975.

like a walk back in time, to my own childhood. It started my own love and understanding of the true pleasure, not only of fishing, but the true friendship and wisdom found in mentors, especially senior citizens.

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