It took me a lot more time than I initially expected to finish this novel, but I think it's better to read it slowly, over a longer period.
I wasn't very fond of Hemingway's style and especially of the theme. The characters seemed interesting, but they also had a lot of traits which I strongly disapprove. What I did find interesting was the relation between the hunter and its prey, or in this case between the fisherman and the fish. One would expect a feeling of hate, but in some parts it seemed more like love. The hate seemed to be aimed more towards the destiny, that forced each of them to play their tragic role.
The ending seemed confusing at first, especially because initially I didn't understand the last exchange of lines between the tourist and the barman. It makes sense if you think about it, but by no means do I see it as a happy end. It's a peaceful one, but also bitter. It's like we're all struggling to pursuit our goals, but then they don't mean that much for anyone else. And no matter what, we'll always fail at some point - because it's written in our destiny.
Everything about him was old except his eyes and they were the same color as the sea and were cheerful and undefeated.
Why did they make birds so delicate and fine as those sea swallows when the ocean can be so cruel? She is kind and very beautiful. But she can be so cruel and it comes so suddenly and such birds that fly, dipping and hunting, with their small sad voices are made too delicately for the sea.
My choice was to go there and find him beyond all people. Beyond all people in the world. Now we are joined together and have been since noon. And no one to help either of us.
If I were him I would put in everything now and go until something broke. But, thank God, they are not as intelligent as we who kill them; although they are more noble and more able.
"The fish is my friend too," he said aloud. "I have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him. I'm glad we do not have to kill the stars.
It is good that we do not have to try to kill the sun or the moon or the stars. It is enough to live on the sea and kill our true brothers.
But a man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.
