Life of Pi in 101 Books to Read Before You Die

Jun 06, 2012 Alana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: boxall-s-1001-books, books-to-film, foreign-culture, man-booker-prize

This book was fantastic! I normally don't start a review that way, but it simply was. I can't review it well without some spoilers, so don't read more than this paragraph if you haven't read the book yet, as spoilers I think especially for this book would really take away from the reading experience. It has survival, history, culture, religion, animals, food, family and just about anything else you can think of. It reads partly as an adventure, partly a science pamphlet, partly a cultural examin This book was fantastic! I normally don't start a review that way, but it simply was. I can't review it well without some spoilers, so don't read more than this paragraph if you haven't read the book yet, as spoilers I think especially for this book would really take away from the reading experience. It has survival, history, culture, religion, animals, food, family and just about anything else you can think of. It reads partly as an adventure, partly a science pamphlet, partly a cultural examination, partly a thoughtful look at some major world religions. It is witty, smart, thoughtful and very, very deep (and not just the ocean). It is well worth reading and I can't wait to see this vivid imagery on screen.

Now, **SPOILER ALERT**

Watching Pi closely exam three major religions (and probably others that he simply does not discuss) was fascinating. As a Christian myself, I thought the childlike, honest way he approached the very odd-sounding story of Christ was beautiful and refreshing. The kindness of the priest toward him was equally refreshing, as all too often these stories are full of judgmental, self-serving leaders who care more about the coffers than their parishioners. The Muslim and Hindu leaders were equally kind and accepting, something also not always portrayed. It's disheartening to see them fighting, but unfortunately often very true to life. Pi's struggle with how he views faith and religion is one of the key themes of the whole novel.

As Pi sinks further and further into animal-like behaviors as his situation becomes even more dire, it's hard not to imagine what you might be willing to do given the same situation. One can never say for certain what one is capable of until actually faced with the situation. It's a very sobering thought.

The alternate story/same ending version threw me a little, and while I found it absolutely made the story and put everything together, it also left some interesting questions. While the first story might be more pleasant, that does not make it "better." I like the truth, not just what sounds better. That does mean I don't like a good yarn, however, nor that I don't understand the need to create a story for the mind so one can have the heart to survive. There are many elements in the story that may not be believable, but are perfectly believable as a fantasy in order to survive, particularly the island.

All in all, the wit and intelligence, jokes and sadness make a wonderfully rich tale that I think may live up to the early hype of ultimately ending up a classic. It's a remarkable book I would recommend to anyone. ...more

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Nov 29, 2013 Casey Albert rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014-challenge, favorites

Pi Patel begins this novel by telling the reader that this story "will make you believe in God." So begins Pi's extraordinary journey across the Pacific Ocean in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. This book is challenging to read--both because of its graphic scenes and its deep, complex symbolism. The ending is absolutely stunning, and made me question my core values and beliefs. At its heart, this is not really an adventure novel, but a powerful spiritual statement about the meaning of "belief." I ...more

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Nov 06, 2013 Mary rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, booker-prize-winners, 1001-books-to-read-before-you-die, unreliablenarrator

I won’t attempt to write a review of the novel, rather will simply urge others to read it. The novel is finely crafted, filled with symbolism, and is a surprisingly quick read. This is a novel that you will want to discuss with others, making it an ideal candidate for a Book Club. I must confess that I saw the movie when it was popular in the theaters; I do wish I’d read the novel before seeing the movie.

The first section of the novel describes the family’s life as caretakers of the zoo, the na ...more

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