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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.
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Critic reviews

  • Audie Award Finalist, Solo Narration - Male, 2007

Featured Article: The top 100 classics of all time


Before we whipped out our old high school syllabi and dug deep into our libraries to start selecting contenders for this list, we first had to answer the question, "How do we define a classic?" The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might guess, though there’s a lot to be said for the old adage, "You know it when you see it" (or, in this case, hear it). Of course, most critically, each of our picks had to be fabulous in audio. So dust off your aspirational listening list—we have some amazing additions you don’t want to miss.

What listeners say about The Old Man and the Sea

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Superbly read

Donald Sutherland's tired, smokey voice is perfect for this reading. You can almost feel the tired, aching old body. Loved it.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Extremely well read

This is a modern classic I always wanted to experience. The stark language and biblical simplicity of the book is quite haunting. Some have criticized the book as being too obvious. However, I see this as Hemingway's tool for creating the overall tone. Some have speculated that the sharks Santiago faces in the book is Hemingway's metaphor of the relationship between himself and the literary critics. Who knows? In any case Donald Sutherland was a great narrator. I was very happy with this purchase

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Bite-sized Audio Papa

Hemingway's work lends itself better to narration than almost any other author and Donald Sutherland does an excellent job of getting you into the boat with the old man.

This bite-sized novella is the perfect length and tone for one leg of a business trip.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Favorite

Donald Sutherland is perfect as the old man. His voice is soft and compelling. Hemingway builds into the boy and old man character and values that are so desirable, yet seem a thing of the past. I left the book wanting to be stronger (from the old man) and more compassionate (from the boy). I'm glad Audible put this on their Essential list!

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Suspenseful and heartfelt.

This has to be Hemingway's best book according to what I've read so far anyway. although it's very short it is heartfelt, suspenseful, and beautiful. but also a very simple story all at the same time.

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Timeless

A keeper for the ages...Hemingway was a master story teller and this one felt autobiographical.

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  • Overall
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What a story

I can't think of a better narrator than Donald Sutherland for this book. I enjoyed it immensely.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

just a great classic book

listen to it on audibles and Donald Sutherland voice was so well done I could clearly make out the images and imagine the pain and the anguish and the determination of the old man as he battled the elements and himself.glad I took the time to revisit this great American book.

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  • Overall
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Pure decadence

Hemingway read to you by Mr. Sutherland. Find that most worn in of wingback chairs, wait for a blustery Sunday morning,. brew a pot of dark, strong coffee and prepare to weep.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing story.

an amazing story of the power of perseverance in the human soul. Reminded me of the relationship I had with my grandfather

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