2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is for discussion of Part One which contains Chapters one through 36.

hi,

Just starting it, but it's been on my to read list for awhile. Happy reading all.

The beginning was really slow moving for me. It's not leaving much for my imagination. It's a bit annoying because I feel like I'm reading an essay rather than a book. What do you guys think?

I agree Jack. I really didn't like the beginning as it was much too slow and tedious.

I read this in undergrad, and I happened to be a religious studies minor. I love learning about faith and why one chooses to be faithful, so the beginning hooked me immediately. (I also totally loved all the facts about zoo animals and the story of his name.)

But I realize I'm in the minority here.

I had a hard time getting into it, though I did enjoy some parts (including the story of his name and the tidbits about the animals). But it's a bit too spiritual for my tastes.

Great! I haven't already buy this book, but I'm making an effort. The movie is great! My favorite instead Argo by the way.

I too am in the minority and have really enjoyed the beginnging of the book. I love the stories of zookeeper knowledge and his view of religion.

Chapters 21 and 22 are very short, yet the author has said that they are at the core of the novel. Can you see how?

I really liked Part 1. I zipped through it. I love animals and am fascinated by sociology/religion, though, so that explains it. Plus it wasn't pointless; there was all kinds of plot mixed in.

I also really like the writing style and the short chapters. I found the italicized chapters a little annoying (were we supposed to be surprised that it was Pi?), but I'm hoping they'll be necessary for some later part of the story.

I love that Pi is religious but doesn't pick one religion and how everyone else is so indignant that their religion alone is the Ultimate Truth. It also made me want to learn more about Hinduism. Oh, and it made me eat Indian food for dinner :-) Yum.

Good question, Jack! Good answer, Jennifer.

This is just a guess, but maybe chapters 21 and 22 are at the core of the novel for the author. Like maybe when he wrote them he said "Oh, yeah. This is what I'm writing about." So maybe to us they don't seem central, but to him they were crucial in figuring out the book's direction.

I am really enjoying this book. I love the writing style...it just has me hooked. I also like the short chapters...I feel like I'm flying through the book much quicker that way.

I have to admit I got a little lost during the chapters that focused more on the animals but I am also fascinated by religion. In fact I love that Pi feels that he can be a part of multiple religions. Why should you have to pick just one? He brings up the fact that all three religions share common people and stories and I think that's a good point. Most religions are founded on the same ideas of being a good person, helping others, etc. I just really like the way that religion is being discussed in the book.