The Old Man and the Sea
Pure poetry in my opinion. My favorite book ever. Santiago is all of us, just trying to achieve what we deem to be success. Sometimes, it almost kills us. Santiago I think is also a metaphor in a few different ways. In one view, he is age, trying desperately to stave it off, the shark representing youth and the fish is his life. Another view is that he is humanity trying to rise above reptilian instinct (the shark) by trying to protect what is valuable in humanity. You could also say Santiago is ambition, lust, greed, because he so wants the fish, but we see that those qualities turn on him when the shark comes along. But he is also principle and honor because he is trying to feed his family and lead an honorable, respectable life, and the world (the shark) represents almost insurmountable obstacles and challenges we all must face in this life. Some people win in life according to what they feel life is, and some lose in life according to how they view life. I may be wrong, but I think Santiago ultimately wins.
Brady's Cellar 