4.5 stars.

Well...color me surprised. I have had a copy of this book as long as I can remember. Seriously. I'm pretty sure it belonged to my grandfather and I somehow wound up with it at some point. I've had it since at least middle school. And I have NEVER read it...until now. All I've ever heard about Ernest Hemingway's writing was how it was pretentious and probably not very conducive to enjoyment. Needless to say I went in a bit jaded and not expecting much.

You guys. This book is really good. It's technically a novella and it focuses nearly solely on a boat in the middle of the ocean and a single fish, but I was stunned. The writing is excellent. The atmosphere is really great. And the protagonist is perfect. It hurt my heart to read this story. I became invested in a FISHING story. A FISHING STORY. What in the world?

Seriously. I am shocked and very pleasantly surprised. And you know what? I'll probably read it again. What a way to end my reading for 2021. Stunned I tell you.