The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Santiago has been a fisherman for all his life, but for the past eighty four days he hasn't been catching many fish. A young man Manolin used to fish with him, but he must cease to fish with his old friend because Santiago has been labeled as unlucky due to his old age and lack of fish catches. This prompts Santiago to prove everyone wrong. He knows the sea better than anyone and is determined to wipe away his unlucky reputation. He sets out farther out into the sea than ever before kicking off his epic journey. The two main characters of this allegorical tale are the old man, Santiago, and the Marlin. On Santiago's trip into the sea he makes a catch. This fish he catches is too deep to be seen and is too strong to reel in. Now the struggle between the old man and the sea begins. The fish cannot escape and yet cannot be conquered. For days the struggle tortures and drains the two contestant. Santiago must hold the fishing line and through mutual suffering the man feels a respect and bond for the strong fish at the end of the line that connects them. This story is short, but impactful, paralleling the suffering of Christ to the old man's. Keep this parallel in your mind as you read and this book will open up to you.
