The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.

Ernest Hemingway's masterpiece explores the indomitable human spirit through the story of Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman locked in an epic struggle with a giant marlin. This novella exemplifies Hemingway's distinctive prose style—spare, direct, and profoundly moving—as it examines themes of perseverance, dignity, and man's relationship with nature. A timeless meditation on courage and resilience, this essential work of American literature remains as compelling today as when first published in 1952. Perfect for readers seeking literary depth and philosophical insight.