Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not that good
Review: This book was enjoyable enough, but toward the end of Pi's adventures at sea, I lost my ability to suspend my disbelief. The story simply became too fantastical. It seemed the ending was rushed, and the twist at the end didn't do a thing for me. Overall, though, it was a decent enough novel - a good, light read.
Rating:
Summary: Good Middleschool Read
Review: I believe reviews stretching a bit to say that this is some sort of quest for God. I purchased this book partially based on that hype. I may not have been so dissapointed if the concept of spirituality had been omitted in reviews and summaries. Apart from a short stint in the beginning, in which the main character tried to become a member of multiple religions (not for any great reasons), this book has little to do with spirituality, in the usual sense. This is an adventure story. Some interesting things are learned about animal behavior. If the reader does not mind a great deal of brutal gore(sort of an antithesis of spirituality, in my opinion), then it can be very entertaining. I found it a quick, easy, read; and would recommend it to those who enjoy adventures. I would not recommend it for those on any sort os spiritual quest.
Rating: 
Summary: AJ
Review: Just finished this book and no need to comment on the story as Its been praised plenty in the other 900 reviews. I do have one thing to say though. You could easily get by reading just the 2nd part, and it in itself is a great story. The first part give you a good history of things, and the last part, sheds some light on the second part.
Rating:
Summary: Moved into one of my top 5's!
Review: I have to say, this is the best book I've read in a very long time. Yann Martel is a terrific story writer, and you find yourself lost on the Pacific with Pi and Richard Parker (a tiger), and loving it. I actually listened to the book, read by the author, and I have to say, it was delightful. His Indian accent was beautiful, and brough true life to Pi. You laugh, you cry, and in the end, well, you'll just have to read it yourself. Wonderful!
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: Life of Pi is a book that truly makes one wonder about the possibilities of literature. In reading the book, I found out that the theme is not that complex: basically, a tiger and a teenager named Pi Patel get trapped on a lifeboat for many days. This is the story of their survival. While at first, the reader's expectations would expect something magical, he/she will discover that Life of Pi is more like a reality TV show. The book goes into great detail about how Pi survives the unimaginably hostile circumstances (no water, food, salt, toilet facilities, and a 450 pound Sunderban tiger). Also, this book has more than a tinge of spirituality. This would be expected, as Pi later attributes his survival to his "forgetfullness" and belief in God. Moreover, Life of Pi would make a good beginner's guide to understanding the change from a human being to a castaway. Ultimately, I feel, it is the superb style of narration that will last in my mind for a long long time. I was more than once astounded about how much you can write about such a simple situation. But Martel accomplishes much more than masterful narration: he has a truly marvelous sense of humor (at times offensive). Now, after having read the entire book, I am still fascinated by mere thought of Pi's unforgettable journey.
Rating:
Summary: amazing book
Review: one of my favorite books. A fanscinating look at religion and philosophy. You wqill be riveted to the last page. Pi will stay with you for a long while after you finish reading this.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting and thought provoking
Review: I purchased this book on a recommendation from a good friend. I owe them big time. This is definetely a book that will hold your interest from page one and not let go until the last word.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: I will not add anything to those hundreds of reviews. Just read the book and see by yourself. It is one of the best I ever read. The reviewer from Portland (re: Metaphorical Animals and Zoos vs the real thing) who wrote a review on May 20 2004 should read again Chapter 13 of the book, he will see that Hediger was well mentioned as a reference.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating but forgettable
Review: Yann Martel is probably very intelligent, and this book is witty and amusing and probably even insightful and I get the feeling that everything is one huge metaphor for something else, yet this feeling is accompanied by one of sheer bafflement at what it is exactly Martel is trying to say. I can tell its getting at something deep, something important, but I'll be damned if I know what it is. Damned. From a purely structural point of view, the bit before the boat sinks is highly entertaining, the floating in the boat is fascinating for a while, but it drags considerably in the middle. Is this a metaphor for something else? Draggin towards the middle? The ending is superb, probably the highlight of the book, and it really put this book in a better light for me than the rest of the amusing but vague narrative did. Maybe I wasn't paying enough attention, but I think a lot of people are pretending that they are gleaning pearls of wisdom from this book when they're really just as flabbergasted as I am. Still a great read though.
Rating:
Summary: Modern Masterpiece
Review: Solid, active writing from Yann Martel makes the pages of Life of Pi fly by. It is an enchanting survival story with well developed characters and interesting takes on many aspects of life. The body of the book is very good, but the ending takes Life of Pi into a realm of greatness rarely achieved.
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