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Summary: the most overrated book of 2003
Review: The Life of Pi may well be the most prominent victim of book hype 2003. Artistically unremarkable dribble about religion and spirituality ends inconclusively and is followed by a pointless survival story. Filled with irrelevant and oftentimes misleading or plainly false comments about zoolifeand biology in general, it seems that some reviewer got carried away by latest wave of "ethnic" authors. Fortunately, lack of talent brings with it a soothing brevity and lack of detail that shortens the ordeal of reading.
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Summary: Do you believe in God?
Review: If you do, there's simply no good excuse for having not read Yann Martel's spellbinding masterpiece. Catch-words like inspirational and spiritual - the Oprah-speak that the people who discuss this book will inevitably toss around - cannot even begin to describe the experience that comes from reading The Life of Pi. I don't care what god (or God if you're fond of capital letters) you believe in, consider this book a part of your required reading list.If you don't believe in God...don't let that keep you from reading this book. If nothing else, you will come away with a firm belief in the power of literature and in the author's ability to craft a sublimely haunting yarn that demands both a second reading, and a good week's worth of sober introspection. P.S. Don't miss the better story.
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Summary: What a journey!!!
Review: Ok, I had my doubts about this one. How could an author really make being lost at sea with a tiger interesting for 300-some-odd pages? Well, I admit it when I'm wrong...this book managed to be amazing. Pi Patel is an old soul in a young body...a sensitive young man who prescribes to all varieties of religion, and grows up among the animals in the Pondicherry zoo where his father oversees things. While on the way to Canada, the ship carrying Pi, his family, and some of the zoo animals sinks and Pi is left with a lifeboat full of violent creatures, and he must survive the fray. Life of Pi is a voyage filled with periods of turmoil and serenity. Pi must physically survive, glean the will and tools to survive from his limited surroundings, grapple with his spirituality, grief, and loneliness, and learn to deal with a deadly tiger in a very limited amount of territory. I found the whole book enthralling, especially the ways in which Pi met his needs for food, water, shelter, and dealt with a variety of other problems. There's even a bit of a twist at the end that I found heartbreaking, frustrating, interesting, and ultimately very clever. The book makes you question what is real and unreal and what's worth putting faith in. The only warning I have for readers: lots of animal violence. With animals in a lifeboat there's bound to be some bloodshed.
Rating: 
Summary: Provocative, fits in with my philosophy anyways
Review: Don't want to spoil the end though. Starts out somewhat slow but its not too hard to trudge through it. Very interesting in case you would like to find out how to survive sharing a life boat with a Begal Tiger in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Take my word for it: the ending will blow you away. Read it if only for that.
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Summary: Made me stop believing in the Booker
Review: I thought it was painfully unfunny, misleading about zoology and snide about faith. Many zoo tigers spend their lives pacing a small area until they get euthenized or worse to make room for baby tigers and the bigger crowds and revenue they draw. And I never expect good things when a discussion of faith starts off with the guy declaring his spiritual development is better than that of many people. I hope the Booker will resume honoring better titles.
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Summary: Trials of Adversity
Review: The Life of Pi is probably one of the most original, thought provoking books ever written. The premise alone supplies more imagination than any other five books by a single author. While many people here have decided to give a plot synopsis, I don't think another one is necessary. The Life of Pi is like something you will never read again. Whether or not you choose to believe the fanicfull version (which makes up the entire book)that comes straight out of a childrens book or the realistic version that comes along at the very end, you can never be sure which is right. If nothing else The Life of Pi reaffirms life and the ability for man to overcome any obstacle, whether it is a Bengal tiger, or a ruffian French cook. As unbelieveable as it sounds it is yet quite belivable, yet I think people managed to miss the point. Yann Martell claims the book will make you believe in god. It will not if anything the Life of Pi will make you believe in the human spirit, a spirit that can overcome any adversity. Something only attainable when faith is put into god. The final page of the book sums it up perfectly Martell and Pi do not care if you believe one story or another. The only person who knows which story true is Pi himself. They only ask that you believe in the spirit of man to overcome any adversity. If your reading this and still on the fence whether to get The Life of Pi do yourself a favor and get it. It is like nothing you have ever read before, and will only reaffirms the inner fortitude of man. I cannot reccomend this book enough.
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Summary: A riveting tale
Review: I read this book on my sister's suggestion. She'd agnostic, and after reading the book myself, I was surprised she suggested it. It leaves you with a wonderfully spiritual feeling. Every word is compelling, and though you desire to skim ahead to see what happens, you are far too interested in what is happening now to do so. I can not think of a person who would find this book anything less than a great read. You will have trouble putting it down, and even when you've finished, it will stick with you.
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Summary: I am agnostic ,
Review: I am European, much older than Pi, I know nothing about tigers, or recent history of India. I do NOT believe in God: only in literature as the way of living different lives. So I spent three of my most risky days with Pi and Mr. Parker. Yesterday, they arrived to the Mexican shores. And I miss them so much now... Wonderful read. Do not trust narrow-minded readers.
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Summary: Engaging and Multi-faceted
Review: Life of Pi has one of the strangest beginnings that I have ever read. The narrator gives us many small and random facts about zoology, then proceeds to detail his interest in Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism, and how he practices all three religions at the same time. Not exactly gripping writing, or similar to the survival story described on the back jacket. But, near page 100, Life of Pi abruptly transitions. Our hero, Pi, leaves India with his family and their zoo animals, (his family runs a zoo) on a cargo ship bound for a new life in Canada. But, the cargo ship soon sinks and Pi is left on a life raft with a tiger. Now, the real book begins. Pi must survive on a small life raft with a massive tiger. The meat of the novel is Pi explaining his activities while on the high seas. But, as the novel continues, his exploits change from the normal, collecting water when it rains; to the hard to believe, going blind and meeting fellow survivors. Predictably, Pi survives, and the author's purpose of writing the novel becomes clear when he is interrogated. Life of Pi can be read two ways, as a exciting survival story with a bad beginning; or as an allegory for the two different ways in which events can play out, the reader not knowing which way actually happened, and which way was fantasy. Because of the questions it raises, Life of Pi would be an excellent discussion book for a book club, however, it is enjoyable when read alone as well.
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Summary: terrific storytelling; a fable for all ages
Review: "Life of Pi" packs so much into a little book. It starts off as a whimsical story of Indian teenager and his confusion about life, religion, and animals (his father is a zookeeper). It is reminiscent of John Irving's "Son of a Circus", and it bit like Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" but more fun. The story then takes a much more adventurous turn when the boy and his family embark on a sea voyage to Canada. No spoilers here, but what a fascinating story. While a book for all ages I think "Life of Pi" will become a classic for the "I am too old for Harry Potter, really!" teenaged set. Bottom line: simply wonderful. Fully deserving of the Booker prize.
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