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Original poster

The Life of Pi by Yann Martell - anyone else read it?

30 replies

donnie · 05/11/2004 16:29

I am nearly finished and really like this strange book.What do other people think? it's funny and very sad at the same time

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LIZS · 05/11/2004 16:30

I'm afraid I don't think I really got it. Found it a struggle to read and not especially enjoyable.

Hulababy · 05/11/2004 16:32

I am the same as you Lizs. I've read most of it, but didn't finish it all properly - just scanned through last bit. I don't think I "got" it at all. Didn't find it particulrly enjoyable or interesting - it just didn't capture me and pull me in at all.

Original poster
donnie · 05/11/2004 16:55

I agree there are some very strange parts which I don't think i understood either!

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Twiga · 05/11/2004 17:08

I really liked this book, although I found some of it a bit gruesome. I thought the idea was that his story was a way of dealing with the trauma of the ship wreck, seeing his mum murdered etc. Only bit I found really difficult was the bit about the island - couldn't work out how it fitted into things - have lent to a friend but hoping to re-read at some point and try to figure it out. Liked the narrative style of the book and liked the fact that there was more to it than first meets the eye.

roisin · 05/11/2004 21:30

Oh I loved it! It wasn't at all what I was expecting. I found it much lighter reading than I anticipated, spectacular narrative, and stunning ending.

Last year ds1's teacher wrote in his review book that she was currently reading it, and she thought he would enjoy it when he was a bit older. I thought that was very sweet of her.

Chandra · 05/11/2004 22:40

I loved that book, it's one of my favourite ones, I found it really moving, and I believe that people who is slightly inclined to think abou why things happen and what you can earn from them would love it. And I liked the ending too, so realistic! he pocketing the food while being interviewed. I have read it on the plane on my way home (20 hrs) but couldn't bring it back as I had too much luggage, which I regret specially now. Did he saw his mother being murdered? I thought the cook just had told him about it? OMG I don't have the book anymore, can somebody explain me if I missed something?

Chandra · 08/11/2004 17:00

anyone?

Barbaloot · 09/11/2004 00:08

Chandra, it's been a while since I read it, but like Twiga, I thought his story was to shield his mind from the truth. Wasn't his mother the Oran-Utang or one of the other animals? I thought it was a fantastic story on many levels and very thought provolking.

Papillon · 09/11/2004 07:27

Amazing book. Wrapping zoology, theology and biology into one book - just the kind of story that I like. The survival mode tactics to avoid being eaten by the tiger. Did not find it strange but I have read and studied alot of the aspects he wrote about so it really struck a chord with me.

My father read it also and we had great discussions.

Hausfrau · 09/11/2004 08:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Twiga · 09/11/2004 08:45

Chandra, sorry to take a while getting back to this thread - I'm sure, though not 100%and have lent to friend so can't check, that his mum (oranutang)was killed defending him against the canibal guy. Anyone got any theories on the island bit - found it confusing?

Papillon · 09/11/2004 14:28

Here an interview by the author which explains abit about how he wrote the book.

Yann Martel talks about the island being a mirage.
For me too the island symbolises a masked haven. It seems all good, food for all and a respite from the clutches of ocean life. But staying there is like selling your soul, making a bargain with the devil. It is not an oasis and Pi could stay, accept and resign himself to his fate on the island (hell) or seek a better place. Even if this means facing the challenges of the ocean, knowing that salvation is that direction rather than remaining on the island.

Original poster
donnie · 09/11/2004 14:35

Chandra, there were two alternative stories, the first one was with the animals etc, and the monkey was killed by the hyena, only to be killed in turn by the bengal tiger. The second was where Pi, his mother and the nasty cook survived but the mother was killed by the cook.Having looked at all these comments I think I'm going to have to read it again!

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Original poster
donnie · 09/11/2004 14:40

I also loved the way the young Pi wanted to be Hindu, Moslem and Christian all at the same time. He saw no obstacle to that, but of course the adults did!the purity and soulfulness of the child v adult compromise and cynicism....

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jabberwocky · 09/11/2004 14:43

Very interesting book. I read it over the summer and it was not at all what I expected. I loaned it to a friend expecting to have deep meaningful discussions (she has a degree in philosphy) but I don't think she liked it that much so, no discussions yet. I'm glad you started this thread donnie.

amynnixmum · 09/11/2004 14:49

Really liked this book and like many others want to read it again but have lent it on and can't remember who to. Very bizarre but untterly engrosing.

Roobie · 09/11/2004 19:12

I enjoyed the book too - I think M Night Shyamalan is adapting it for his next film. Should be interesting!

popsycal · 09/11/2004 19:15

i enjoyed it...a few people recommmened it to me andWASNT AS OVERAWED I I THOUGHT I WOULD BE - BUT IT WAS VERY CLEVER AND LEFT YOU WONDERING.....

roisin · 09/11/2004 19:28

I was expecting it to be rather heavy-going and intellectual (Booker prize-winner and all that), but it wasn't at all. I found it to be very accessible, but extremely clever at the same time. Definitely a book I will want to read again several times in the future.

jabberwocky · 10/11/2004 06:41

Good point about a second reading. I should run down my copy and give that a try. Hopefully it hasn't strayed too far afield! Goodness, knows I need the distraction right now.

Demented · 10/11/2004 10:24

Absolutely loved this book. After reading all your comments it's making me want to read it again and I haven't felt that way about a book since I was a child.

Uhu · 11/11/2004 10:40

I really liked this book too. Initially, I thought I found the story quite bewildering but it was only when I read the last chapter, that I finally understood what was happening. Very clever book!

sis · 16/11/2004 11:47

I've just finished this book and really liked it - very captivating. I was a bit thrown by the island but the link from Papillon explained it a bit - still not sure that it sits well with the rest of the story.

spacemonkey · 16/11/2004 12:15

I've just finished it too and I found it an absolutely inspiring, brilliant book.

dogwalker · 16/11/2004 12:18

Have read the book and mostly enjoyed it, although I found the first half quite slow going. The second part where he is on the boat I really enjoyed. The way I understood it is that in he was the only one who actually survived, all the other people who were on the boat with him died or were murdered, and in his memory they were turned into animals. I do't undertand the bit about the island though and where that fits in! Going to a book club meeting about this book in a few days and will post if anyone has any ideas about the island!

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