Classics Challenge 2009 Guidelines

Trish is hosting the Classics Challenge 2009. She has posted a list of classic books including some possible future classics. (Future classics - is that a paradox or what?) in this site.

Choose Your Level
1. Classics Snack - Read FOUR classics

2. Classics Entree - Read FIVE classics

3. Classics Feast - Read SIX classics

Guidelines
1. Cross-posting with other challenges is allowed (and encouraged!)

2. Audiobooks are fine

3. Re-reads are acceptable, BUT books must be finished after April 1st to count for the challenge

4. Lists don't have to be set in stone; you can change your selections at any time.

5. Have fun!!

6. You do NOT need a blog to participate.

To sign up and for more information, go here. The challenge runs from April to October, 2009. Come join the fun!

My Choices for the Classics Challenge

I've decided to do the Classics Feast.

1. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

2. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

4. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

5. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

6. Sherlock Holmes: Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Bonus: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Monday, May 4, 2009

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group
Pub. Date: May 1995
ISBN-13: 9780684801223
Pages: 128
Rating: 5 out of 5

Synopsis: Santiago, an old and experienced Cuban fisherman, has not caught any fish for the past 84 days. He ventures out further from the shore to the sea to try his luck. Triumph is achieved but Santiago soon faces great danger.

Review: The Old Man and the Sea was the last book Hemingway saw published before his death. Hemingway won the Pulitzer Prize in 1952 for this short novel which he richly deserved.

At first glance, it just seemed like a book about a fisherman who had an unlucky streak but was determined to succeed. He sailed out to the sea to increase his chances. Eventually, Santiago caught a huge marlin but he was unable to pull it. The marlin ended up towing his skiff, and the struggle between them began.

Santiago remained strong even after he became injured. I couldn’t help but admire his resiliency. I rooted for him especially during his life and death struggle with the sharks. He was fearless. Even after he lost his weapon when he battled the shark, he used whatever he could to survive.

The book was simply written, but had a lot of depth. Known for economizing his words, Hemingway’s stories had always packed a punch. This one included.

Recommendations: Highly recommended. If you are looking for a quick yet very meaningful read, this one is for you.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)