The Old Man and the Sea

By: Ernest Hemingway

Narrated by: Donald Sutherland

2007 Audie Award Finalist for Solo Narration—Male

The last novel Ernest Hemingway saw published, The Old Man and the Sea has proved itself to be one of the most enduring works of American fiction. 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.

Using the simple, powerful language of a fable, Hemingway takes the timeless themes of courage in the face of defeat and personal triumph won from loss and transforms them into a magnificent twentieth-century classic. Written in 1952, this hugely successful novel confirmed his power and presence in the literary world and played a large part in his winning the 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature.

Buy it!

If you care at all about the English language you must use 2 1/2 hours of your time on the planet listening to this work. It is possibly the simplest scenario imaginable for a novel but is completed with style and economy which is what made Hemingway unique. The icing on the cake is that Sutherland's narration is nearly as exceptional as the book itself. Buy it!

The Old Man & the Sea

A must buy! Narrated by Donald Sutherland, need I say more.

Brilliant, relevant and moving.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Old Man and the Sea to be better than the print version?

Different but equal. The writing is so engaging and econimical and the character of old man so real that it's difficult to separate the message from the medium.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Old Man and the Sea?

As the Old Man sat alone in his boat struggling with pain, thirst, weakness and nausea, he recalled a time from his younger days when he engaged a sailer in a 20 hour arm wrestling match. This moment in the story defined raw endurance and determination more effectively than anything else I've ever read.

What does Donald Sutherland bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Donald Southerland reads with great clarity and just enough expression to let the writing tell the story. After listening to the book, I can't imagine anyone else doing a better job than he. His voice, I'm sure, is far superior than my inner reading voice would be.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was moved by the Old Man's respect for the fish. He never belittled or underestimated his opponent, which lended a fresh perspective to his trade.

Any additional comments?

What can be said about one of the greatest stories ever told? Read it, cherish it, learn from it.

Hemingway at his simple best...

Hemingway at his simple best, and Sutherland's voice is a perfect match for the written script. Really enjoyed this performance.

Story vs narrator

This is a classic must read story that is filled with deep life lessons. Unfortunately, the narrator was lacking in expression and the almost monotone speech made a lovely story boring and difficult to listen to as it induced sleep.