[Roger Slater]

Imagine you are at a cocktail party when you are cornered by a white-bearded geriatric fisherman who offers to regale you with yet another story about "the one that got away." If the old man happens to be named Santiago, refill your glass, have a seat, and call the babysitter to warn her that you're going to be late. Santiago will share every last thought that passed through his head during the tedious hours before the mighty marlin first nibbled his bait, as well as every syllable of the interminable, one-sided conversation by which he bonded with the fish and came to call it brother in the hours to follow. What? You don't get out much to cocktail parties these days? Don't worry. Tbe entire story, in painstaking detail, is contained between the covers of the remarkable book you now hold in your fortunate hands.