Crossword Genius

Novel description of Methuselah, plus six of his characters (3,3,3,3,3,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

the old man and the sea

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'novel' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'description of methuselah plus six of his characters' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is found within the answer.
'plus' could be 'and' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'and' is located in the answer.
'characters' could be 'hes' (he is a kind of character) and 'hes' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for the old man and the sea that I've seen before include "view taken on Hoy?" , "Novel" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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