The Old Man and the Sea

Donald Sutherland's gentle and thoughtful reading of the 1952 classic is spot-on perfect. The tale concerns an old fisherman in a Cuban village who, after an especially bad fishing season, sets out in his skiff, determined to bring in a big fish. By noon, the old man hooks a great marlin, but the powerful fish drags the skiff out to sea for two days. Challenged by starvation, injury, a school of sharks, and this great, noble fish, the old man struggles to survive. Without even trying to put on an accent, Sutherland catches the cadence and intonation of Cuba as well as the weary determination of the old man. Longing, desperation, and hope flow from Sutherland's velvet lips like an ocean current. S.E.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2007 Audies Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine


With his resonant voice, Heston reveals the pride and nobility of Santiago--weathered but not beaten by years at sea. He tells the tale of how Santiago catches the fish of his life with tempo and tone which mirror the text. Initially his voice is unhurried and placid as the stage is set for the hunt. Heston increases the pace and emotion as the adventure unfolds. At the story's close, the narrator speaks with all the sorrow, pain and exhaustion the protagonist feels upon his return home. Hemingway's words as spoken by Heston reveal why The Old Man and the Sea is worthy of its Pulitzer. M.P.T. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine