The Old Man and the Boy
by Robert Ruark
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Book Summary Information
Author: Robert RuarkEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1993-08-15
ISBN: 080502669X
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: Holt Paperbacks
Book Reviews of The Old Man and the Boy
Book Review: Something of a classic
Summary: 4 Stars
I've read this book - and also the 'sequel' The Old Man's Boy Grows Older - several times. So I'll treat this review as for both books.
I think they're worthy to be minor American classics (although only minor). Both books deal with themes such as conservation and protecting our planet, child raising and growing up, the value of moderation in one's life, race, progress in society, etc etc...
Its good to see that of about 40 reviews here, the majority give the book 5 stars.
Now, on to some criticism (which is what critiqing is all about:)...
The books have deep themes, and of the two The Old Man and the Boy is the deeper. Unfortunately, Ruark never actually gets very deep with his themes - he tends to scratch the surface and move on.
His writing is in an easy-to-read style, but this eliminates all subtlety and makes the plot (and underlying message) awfully simplistic. Nothing really wrong with that by itself; it just gives the book a juvenile flavor. That may be what Ruark intended, but I don't think so - I think he was writing for adults...Anyway, I first read it as a kid. Now as an adult, I find it to be mostly light reading and not terribly engaging. That may, however, be due to over-familiarity with it, having read them several times.
Ruark has been accused of a certain racism in his books, and there is some evidence of it; also sexism. I don't myself find it racist, but he could be said to come across as condescending to blacks and women who are treated with a veneer of respect but as 'second class'. Maybe thats a product of his time.
Ruark is largely unknown to younger generations now even though theres a Robert Ruark Society somewhere, dedicated to preserving his legacy. Today he has only a 'niche' following - a small one at that - instead of a more universal appeal. That is telling by itself. His works are not studied in schools as other classic authors are - another telling point.
Ruark was very intelligent (he graduated both high school and university early) but he was also a noted alcoholic, from an alcoholic family that moved a lot for that time. And he died somewhat young, probably from a lifestyle of self-abuse (drinking and smoking). The discerning reader can see an alcohol 'theme' in his books, although he moderates it. To know his real life unfortunately throws a shadow on the books - something of a darker meaning, maybe?. I can't quite explain it, but maybe it is that after I found out more about him I lost respect for him and his work - The Old Man and the Boy seemed to become far more of a fanciful book, or an effort to gloss over his real life....This shouldn't affect the book by itself but somehow it does to me.
I doubt seriously anyone will ever write a PhD thesis on these two books (something that true classics DO get) probably due to their simplicity. Ruark could have done far better with them, in a purely literary sense. I can recommend them, as a slice of Americana.
Summary of The Old Man and the Boy
This classic captures the endearing relationship between a man and his grandson as they fish and hunt the lakes and woods of North Carolina. All the while the Old Man acts as teacher and guide, passing on his wisdom and life experiences to the boy, who listens in rapt fascination.
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