Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant! A very enjoyable and engrossing tale
Review: Martel's simple and efficient use of language transported me into the world of Pi Patel. With the highly original and captivating story he weaves it is no wonder that "Life of Pi" has been recognized the world over as a brilliant work of fiction. It has been a long time since I have read a book that kept me reading deep into the night. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for a thought provoking read.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging!
Review: This book was a true adventure of the mind and soul.
I was engaged in the begining, middle and end,...and when I was finshed , I started reading it all over again.
I could not put it down. You don't want to miss a word that is written. Exceptional!
Rating:
Summary: WINNER OF 2002 BOOKER PRIZE
Review: Due to a tragic accident Pi Patel finds himself the sole (human) survivor of the cargo ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. From that point forward Pi must fight exhaustion, hunger and apathy in order to stay alive. He manages to swim to a rescue boat that is accompanied by several zoo animals that are part of the ship's cargo. He is able to utilize his knowledge of zoology he had learned from his father to successfully live in the lifeboat with Richard Parker, a tiger.Surpringly, my favorite part of this book was the first section before the cargo ship sank. I loved the details of his life and how he interacted with his family. I almost didn't want this section to end. I would have gladly read a book simply concerning Pi's life in India. THE LIFE OF PI was beautifully written. It is a quick read and well worth one's time and effort. I really appreciated Martel's development of the 'society' that lives underneath the surface of the ocean. This really validates the idea that the ocean is so much more than water and waves. I also enjoyed how Pi, before becoming a castaway, embraced the Hindi, Muslim and Christianity religions and how others reacted to his decision. It really made me wonder if there would be more understanding between these religions if people studied more than one. Maybe walls that divide them would disintegrate? I wonder... I recommend THE LIFE OF PI to others who enjoy reading a good book.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasing
Review: Life of Pi I'll read once again, I liked it that much! Wonderfully written and very entertaining! Also good for the young at heart.
Also recommending: Gold Heaven
Rating: 
Summary: Did I miss something?
Review: By browsing Amazon.com, and seeing the Reviews of Life of Pi, I quickly ordered it and eagerly awaited it's arrival. Excited when it came, I tore into it and began reading. The beginning was exciting, I thought it was richly written, and I settled in to a wonderful reading experience! Once into the book,however, I found parts to be more grotesque than necessary, it was pretty slow in parts, and I suppose I missed something because I don't agree with the other reviewers about it being so enlighteng etc. It did not appeal to me and I'm afraid I wouldn't highly recommend this book. I thought it was ok.
Rating:
Summary: I still don't know what to think!
Review: I read Life of Pi over a month ago, and I still can't get it out of my head. I've been reading a lot of novels over the last year, and this book was enjoyable - until I got to the last 40 pages or so. Then - wow! I'd never want to spoil the sense of exploration that readers have - especially in this book. Let's just say this: I can hardly wait to get this book back from a friend so that I can reread it. And I don't reread books. Buy it, read it, share it!
Rating:
Summary: Pleasing!
Review: Life of Pi I'll read once again, I liked it that much! It is wonderfully written and very entertaining. And good for the young at heart!
Also recommending: Gold Heaven
Rating:
Summary: Fresh Air
Review: This was an amazing book, I did not want the story to end, and when it did you felt like you have just been giving an awareness that few people understand. Then author lets the reader discover a simple lesson on the comprehension of faith. I highly recommend this book, very spiritual.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Storytelling
Review: "The Life Of Pi"(LOP) is a mystical journey that attempts to discover self, life and meaning. The (in)credibly absurd journey of Pi and Richard Parker through the Pacific Ocean is one of the most unlikely tales of them all. The story is both inventive and creative. Written with taints of the nostalgic, LOP is an invigorating, light hearted read that entertains it¡¦s readers from beginning to end. Martel slowly draws his readers into the depths of Pi¡¦s life with a description of the habits and nature of the three-toed sloth. From these descriptions, one is transported to the unique and interesting world of Pi¡¦s early years at Pondicherry, India. We are introduced to the people who deeply influenced Pi¡¦s life, the religious mentors that guided him through a maze of spirituality. Pi finally concludes that he is a Hindu, Muslim and Christian all at once. Through this witness Martel expresses the belief that all religions are fundamentally the same, that all religions are searching for a single ultimate reality and that all religions provide a legitimate pathway to God. Pi argues that "we should not be jealous with God"implying that we should not claim any religion has unique knowledge and offers the only way to the divine. Pi explains that the "paths to liberation are numerous, but the bank along the way is always the same, the bank of Karma, where the liberation account of each of us is credited or debited depending on our actions."Pluralism has many fatal flaws that are not addressed in this book but at least Martel acknowledges that all religious teachers (even Hindus) claim some level of exclusivity. This is dramatically and humorously illustrated when Pi accidentally bumps into a Pandit, an Imam and a Christian Priest all at once. A second theme that emerges from LOP is the intrinsic will to survive that all living organisms have. Pi observes that, "all living things contain a measure of madness that moves them in strange, sometimes inexplicable ways. This madness can be saving; it is part and parcel of the ability to adapt. Without it, no species would survive." But, when on the life boat watching a zebra in pain and distress, Pi openly admits that "when your own life is threatened, your sense of empathy is blunted by a terrible, selfish hunger for survival." As a philosophical inquiry into religion and life, LOP is not complete. After all the reviews I read of how it would make one believe in God, I was surprised to find that it was not as not as complex or as interrogative as I expected it to be. While Martell does make some comments about religion and the will to survive, the narrative is not deeply profound, fluent and clear yes, but philosophically whimsical. Ultimately I do not think the narrative was meant to be a framework for a philosophical inquiry, but rather the deep issues flowed inherently from the narrative. Ultimately Martell is a supreme storyteller who is able to spin a yarn like no other. LOP tells a wonderful tale that is worth telling and stretches the mind to edge of belief where a reader may wonder if Pi¡¦s feat is plausible. As a story, LOP is clearly written, humorous in part, vulgar and grotesque at points and ultimately triumphant. Although LOP may or may not be worthy of the Booker prize, it is, at the very least, an entertaining read, and that is more than can be said for many novels out there today. Congratulations Yann Martel. P.S. If you ever get stuck on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, make sure you have this book with you, it may just save your life. And if you are ever in Mexico and bump into Richard Parker say hi to him for me.
Rating:
Summary: Wow, Just Wow!
Review: Literary, Lyrical, Fantastical, Magical, Memorable. Unbelievably brilliant, this is one of the best books I've read in a decade. Truly memorable, Martell has created a new fable, a fantastical tale, an epic journey of survival both mental and physical, a character/narrator that is destined to become a cultural and literary icon. If you think Harry Potter was a children's book that adults could also enjoy, then this is the truly brilliant work of literary grandness that can be enjoyed by a child, a young adult, as well as an adult. Should be required reading in every 8th grade reading class. Pangs of the wonderful writing grace of Shirley Jackson; elements reminiscent of The Odyssey; memorable characterization as destined for classic as Holden Caulfield. Written in a sequence of 100 short chapters, LIFE OF PI is the perfect book for a parent and child to read (or read out loud) together. Make this book a special event in your life. Because once you start reading it, it will be. Take turns with your child reading each chapter and hand the book back and forth. But never mind the kids. Read it, adults. The story and character are as memorable as any you've read. I'm not giving anything away. I can't put my hardcover on a shelf. I'm desperately trying to give it to my friends to make them read it. It's that kind of book you'll go back and buy more copies of and give them away to the ones you love.
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