Life of Pi by Yann Martel Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Life of Pi
Book Review: * Great read *
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved how the author was able to write about little tiny indian jokes that one wouldn't understand unless one was from south east asia. I had a tough time putting this book down because it was funny and painful at the sametime. I defintely recommended this book.
Book Review: *shrugs* a decent read...
Summary: 3 Stars
I had only heard wonderful things about Life of Pi by Yann Martel, so I suppose I had built myself up for a transforming experience. The book fell quite short of my expectations.
One of the most intriguing claims was "this book will make you believe in God." If this was what inspired you to pick up this book, I suggest, instead, reading "Calculating God" by Robert Sawyer. It is much more fulfilling.
This book was long, sometimes overwritten and pretentious. Yet the details were often engaging; Martel uses vivid language, but it all had a vague spiritual haze over it. I kept waiting for some revelation, or some loftier theme to give meaning to Pi's experience, and it never came. You, the reader, will have to make that connection if you so desire. The ending is thought-provoking.
There are some interesting facts about zoology and the animal world--you will come away feeling a bit smarter--and it is a survival story in its truest form.
I finished it without yawning, anyway. It's decent.
Book Review: --------Fascinating-------
Summary: 5 Stars
Piscine (Pi) Patel is a young Indian boy who grew up in the proximity of many wild animals. His father is a zookeeper in Pondicherry, India. Pi likes the animals and knows a lot about them, but Mr. Patel is careful and teaches his sons about the nature of the animals and to never assume they are anything, but wild. Pi's life is good with loving parents, friends and an older brother who he adores. He is a sweet child who loves God and all religions. To the amazement of his parents, he becomes a Christian, a Muslim and Hindu all at the same time. Pi feels like each religion offers something wonderful in their beliefs.
When Mr. Patel decides to leave India, he sells most of his animals, but since he wants to start up another zoo, he books a cargo ship so that he can take some of his zoo stock with him. The family of four head for their new life in Canada. When they are barely into their voyage, a storm at sea causes the ship to sink. Sixteen-year old Pi is unable to find his family and ends up on a large lifeboat carrying four other passengers. His fellow shipmates are a zebra; a hyena, an orangutan and a very large Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
The story of Pi's survival is imaginative, amazing, terrifying and unforgettable.
Book Review: ...?...
Summary: 3 Stars
I was told its a true story. That kind of affected the way I read it. But still enjoyed the ride.The religious undertones seem pointless...I could have done without them.
I still dont believe in god. They shouldnt have put that on the cover...false advertising.
The story was nice. Kinda like a long R rated fable (for Gratuitous Survival Violence)
Book Review: 20th Century Robinson Crusoe
Summary: 5 Stars
His self-proclaimed nickname was Pi. His full name was Pisine Molitor Patel, and his story will challenge the limits of your imagination. His story will make you wonder about the greatness of God. You will learn to love this boy's passion for life. You will learn to admire his frugality, ingenuity, adaptability, and his will to never let go.
This is the story of a coming to age Indian boy in the most improbable circumstances. Pi's struggle for survival is staged in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, stranded in a lifeboat with a few supplies, a vicious fully-grown Bengali tiger, and with an unquestionable faith in God.
Pi's name is a metaphor for his perpetual struggle. His thoughts about faith are like a breath of fresh air in a world filled with religious intolerance. Pi's philosophical monologue in defense of all zoo and based on empirical evidence, will make even the fiercest zoo opponents reconsider. And all the people that will have the pleasure to read this book, will never look at a wild animal the same way as before, whether it is on a TV, on a zoo or circus, or God-forbid in real life.
I am a firm believer that what holds this story together, and keeps you glued to the book, is the language used by the author. Yan Martel gently handles and massages every word with only the finest literary lotion out there. Then, he flirts with the sentences, teasing the reader into wanting more. Finally he makes love, sweet passionate long-lasting love, to each and every paragraph in this book. Trust me when I say that your intellectual senses are going to climax over and over when reading this book.
This 20th century castaway story, I would like to recommend to everybody expanding their collection of modern day classics. "Life of Pi" has the charisma of Robinson Crusoe combined with the endurance of Santiago from "The Old Man And The Sea", and draws Biblical resemblance to Noah's Ark story.