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Read Jan 1, 2018
5 stars

I do not like children's literature. I really, really do not like it. The only exception to that rule has been Harry Potter, until now! Yann Martel told a beautiful story of emotion, philosophy, survival and more. I listened to the audio version in one sitting, today, while on the couch feeling under the weather. I ignored the world and escaped into the vivid scenes painted in my mind. The book requires the reader to be imaginative, to think, and to suspend disbelief. But it is so worth it. I will be remembering this story for a long time.

April 24, 2006 � Finished Reading
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Probably the best book I read in a long time. Thought provoking. Can't believe I was taken in by the story. Author is a philosopher. You have to like Richard Parker. And then maybe you don't. This is a book many hate.

3.5 Stars

Honestly not sure how to review this book, it's been over a week since I finished reading it and I'm still not sure if I like it or not.

The adventure story in itself about a young boy surviving not only a shipwreck but many days at sea on a small lifeboat with an adult Bengal Tiger is by itself a fantasy story that was fairly enjoyable. But I honestly didn't buy into all the philosophical narrative the author tried to weave around this central plot.

It takes a very long time to get going and plods along at a fairly slow pace throughout, not an overly enjoyable read for me. I was glad to finish it and think the book really could with being chopped down by about a third.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It had a slow start, but I was intrigued by the author's commentary even when I did not quite agree. Once the actual survival part of the story started, I was all in. I found it a fascinating spin on survival at sea. Yes there were parts that were brutal and parts that were completely unbelievable, but I thought it was very well told. Then, the final chapters revealed whole new layers to consider. I will definitely want to reread this one again at some point.

Daisey wrote: "I enjoyed this book a lot. It had a slow start, but I was intrigued by the author's commentary even when I did not quite agree. Once the actual survival part of the story started, I was all in. I f..."

The movie is well worth a view.

Intriguing mix of fantasy, adventure and philosophy wrapped up in the story of an Indian boy who survives a shipwreck by sheltering in a lifeboat along with a Bengal tiger called Richard Parker.

I really enjoyed the story of Pi’s youth, it was full of warmth and humour, and the account of his determination to become Hindu, Christian and Muslim gives rise to interesting discussion. Pi’s faith, or faiths, is key to his later story which partly deals with belief and its effect on reality. I also liked the time he spent on the boat, it felt very convincing, although there were too many gruesome and bloodthirsty episodes for me - the point about losing one’s scruples and becoming a savage to survive became a bit laboured. Richard Parker is a memorable characters as seen through Pi’s eyes - this was a strength of the novel.

The final section of the novel is a challenge to our expectations and adds some depth to what we have read previously. It is comic and moving at the same time, and thought provoking too. Overall I enjoyed this book much more that I was expecting - fantasy and magical realism elements are only occasionally appealing to me, but the way this was tackled made these elements important to the whole experience and it worked well for me.