I read ‘The Old Man and the Sea’, a short book of 100 odd pages, around the year 1992. I still remember. It was in the middle of my 10th boards (I think) and I started reading it as a short break from my studies. I could not put it down. And no exaggeration, at the end of the read, I was shivering; shivering from the combination of the beauty and power with which Ernest Hemingway delivers this story.
Till now, I could not identify with the story, just be in its awe, but as I am writing and thinking about it, I do have an experience that might give a peek into this book’s nature. I scaled Mount Shasta in California, USA in 2003. We started our second and final day’s climb after camping on a snow laden flat patch in the mountain at approximately 11, 000 feet. Our target was the summit (about 14, 500 feet) about 7 hours away. The mountain is shaped such that what seems like the peak hides the real peak and just when you think you have reached the summit, you have another little monster to climb. That does wonders to your already dipping spirits. 3 hours into the climb, my shins that had been rubbing since the previous day against the mountaineering boots started to sear with pain. At that point, I could barely stand even while putting most of my weight on the ice pick-axe. 90 miles per hour winds were slapping us and making us lose out balance. The only way to go on for the next 4 hours to the summit and all the way down was to look only at the next step and not beyond. Thanks to my buddies and some grit, we made it.
Now back to the book. Imagine a contest between a mighty fish with its survival at stake and a frail ageing man, alone against time and nature’s whims. The old man’s only weapons are a simple wooden boat, a fishing line, some food, salt, a compassionate understanding and respect for his adversary and above all his will.
I could write about the wonderful imagery in the book, its patient wisdom and the way it grows on you in its very short span. But I have a desire for others to experience this book. So, without disclosing much, I will just say this; ‘The Old Man and The Sea’ is the story of inevitable defeat despite victory against unimaginable odds and a conclusive victory despite the inevitable defeat, all delivered with unforced simplicity, subtlety and love.