Life of Pi

Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic, Realistic, Strange, Yet Amazing Journey
Review: First, I would like to say that I understand the opinions of many, but not all of the reviewers who gave this book a very low rating. Some of what they say is true. The imagery in this novel could become very disturbing, yet I support its inclusion. It adds to the books overall feeling of honesty, which remains, despite an odd ending.
Life of Pi is about a young Indian boy who attempts to travel on a cargo ship with most of his family's zoo to North America. On the way, the ship crashes for a reason that is not revealed. Pi and three others escape on a lifeboat. After some vile deaths, a journey to rival many others takes place across the vast span of the Pacific Ocean. The landing in Mexico is hardly the end of the story.
I do recommend this book, because of its unpredictable story and the amazing perspectives it gives the reader. I have given as few details of the story as I could, while being completely honest, as to not spoil the book. However, I recommend that you read no reviews before the book and make your own decision. Don't even read this one. :)

Rating:
Summary: One very amazing read.
Review: I am thirteen years of age and I was looking for a book to read so I decided to read Life of Pi because I have heard it has had some great reveiws. When I was reading the book I just could not put it down and since reading it I have not been able to find a book as good as it.I strongly reccommend that you read this book as it is an exceptionally good read.

Rating:
Summary: An Existentialist Tale for the New Millennium
Review: "God made man because he loves stories." -Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlev

When you choose the story of your own life, may it be as as magnificent as the "Life of Pi!"

Rating:
Summary: Magical
Review: This book makes my heart beat faster. It is wondrous and magical and thrilling. The author writes like a Canadian Italo Calvino: full of life, motion, thoughts, absent of dead prose or sluggish characterizations...and Pi even sleeps in a tree. Shake yourself out of the lethargy of tedious novels like Richard Russo's Empire Falls (never should have even been nominated for the Pulitzer), and invigorate your mind with this divine morsel.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book but does not fullfill its promise
Review: I think that "The Life of Pi" was an extroadinary book in so many ways. It gives the reader a spark of life, while restoring hope and faith in yourself and the strength and will of the human soul. It also touches on various religions: Muslim, Hinduism, and Christianity, creating an insight and deeper understandanding for the premise of faith. Now, the only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is due to the author failing to deliver apon his promise: that he can tell a story to make you truly believe in God or god (whichever you prefer). That he does not do. Yes, it is an extroadinary story with circumstances I cannot even pathom, but it did not, disapointingly, make me believe in God any more or any less than I already did. I think that was a bold statement on the authors part, to make such a promise, and it was a dire disapointment when i finished the book, only to find myself a little angry Yann Patel...

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing¿
Review: I found "Life of Pi" immensely disappointing for several reasons...

The obvious reason for this book being such a letdown is because it definitely doesn't measure up to the hype and rave reviews. I fail to see why it even garnered so much attention! The author develops interesting twists on religion, zoology, survival... but the different themes presented are convoluted and do not quite fit together.

Another reason is the controversy surrounding this book. The Author, Yann Martel admits to having "borrowed" the concept for "Life of Pi" from "Max and the Cats" by Brazilian writer Moacyr Scliar. Mr. Martel admitted sponging the idea after the fact, which leads you to wonder why wasn't Mr. Scliar notified at any point and why no acknowledgement were made before the controversy was brought to light. Yann Martel's rebuttal to the accusation only gave me a negative feel about "Life of Pi" and it's origins. The author was quoted as saying the he had never read "Max and the Cats", that he had only seen a review by book critic John Updike (oddly enough, no trace of this review can be found) and explained why he hadn't read it as follows: "I didn't really want to read it. Why put up with the gall? Why put up with a brilliant premise ruined by a lesser writer?" This from an author who's previous dismal attempts ended in failures.

Lastly, "Life of Pi" disappointed me because it failed to deliver on its promise. Early in the book, Pi's uncle builds up the story by stating "it will make you believe in god". Suffice to say this was not achieved. I didn't really expect that this book would alter my belief system, but after a bold statement of that sort I expected at least some type of revelation, which there was no hint of.

Maybe I would have found this book more interesting if I hadn't heard anything about it beforehand, but then again, probably not!!!

Rating:
Summary: Clever book
Review: Life of Pi was a great read. I enjoyed the surprising perspectives and metaphors used to move the story forward. There are many great reviews here-I agree with many of them. I'd like to add that it is a book that can be enjoyed both by religious and nonreligious readers due to its fine writing, depth, enjoyable narration, and practical information about what really goes on in a zoo! It is not a heavy philosophical work, and shouldn't be read as such. If you are expecting an entertaining apologetic for the existence of God, look elsewhere. Just enjoy Martel's storytelling for what it is...a unique narration with just enough twists and surprises to keep you interested.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant Surprise
Review: I was a bit hesitant to pick up Life of Pi because some of the reviews were unfavorable. However, I found it to be a very enjoyable bit of fantasy. Essentially a boy is trapped on a life boat with various animals including a tiger named Richard Parker. The book focuses on the fight to survive as the boy and the tiger eventually realize they need each other to make it. Well, not so much the boy needing the tiger but he does come to look at the animal as his friend. You know, the type of friend that you have to keep a safe distance from and admire from a distance. I would recommend it but like I said, I did see some unfavorable reviews citing the book as a bit slow.

Rating:
Summary: If you only read one book this year: this is the one!
Review: lyrical, engaging, nifty surprise at the end

Rating:
Summary: Very Unique Read
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It took a few chapters to get into it. I don't see the relation of the 3 religions to the main plot, however, it was interesting.
I enjoyed every aspect of the zoo animals. I thought there were a lot of interesting facts about the various animals. I thought the story line was unique and enjoyable. (Just don't read this while eating) Highly recommend this book.