Wow. Where do I begin? What did you all think of this book?
At first I felt the book began rather interestingly with the author's note but then part one rather dragged slowly for me. However, so much of what was said in part one were followed up and made clear in part two. I thought Pi was a really interesting character.
My favorite part was the interview at the end. For some reason I wish there was more of it and it made me laugh and smile. However, it also totally and completely shocked me.
Did the story shock you? What about the whole part about Pi telling a "better story"?
So, I wanna know: what did you think really happen?? The fact that he was stuck on the boat with a Bengal tiger (plus a few other menacing creatures early on) or his mother and two other men from the sinking ship?? I will say that I was completely taken aback when I read his other story and how he asked the interviewers which story they preferred?
I began to wonder. Was he only reliving a "better story" because he couldn't fathom what really happened to him on that lifeboat? Or, was he only telling the closed-minded interviewers what they WANTED to hear and what they were sure to believe?
The writing was fascinating and smooth. I loved the parts when he listed what was aboard the lifeboat and how he managed to catch fish (although what he ate was rather disgusting) and survive and train the tiger and so on.
However, the ending has left me puzzled and unsure what I believe...which is exactly why I loved this book. It has kept me thinking long after I read it and wondering what are truly the facts.
Here are some discussion questions...feel free to comment your thoughts and answers to the below questions regarding Life of Pi.
1. Chapters 21 and 22 are very short, yet the author has said that they are at the core of the novel. Can you see how? (Both chapters address "better stories")
2. How might the novel's flavor have been changed if the sole surviving animal had been a zebra with the broken leg? Or Orange Juice? Or the hyena? Would Pi have survived with a harmless animal or an ugly animal, say a sheep or a turkey? Which animal would you like to find yourself with on a lifeboat?
3. Among Yann Martel's gifts is a rich descriptive palette. Regarding religion, he observes the green elements that represent Islam and the orange tones of Hinduism. What color would Christianity be, according to Pi's perspective?
4. What do Pi's strategies for dealing with Richard Parker teach us about confronting the fearsome creatures in our lives?
5. Besides the loss of his family and possessions, what else did Pi lose when the Tsimtsum sank? What did he gain?
6. The first part of the novel starts twenty years after Pi's ordeal at sea and ends with the words "This story has a happy ending." Do you agree?
I was truly intrigued with the life this book seemed to take. I knew nothing of the book other than what I ascertained from the back cover. Therefore, I was surprised to find out it was based on a true story. I was also surprised that the book was considered a religious one, which I find truly fascinating and Pi's interest and thirst for all the different religions (and how his parents react) quite amusing.
I guess the part about "This story has a happy ending" is true in the fact that Pi survived his horrific ordeal at sea. But, he also lost everything...his parents, his brother, his future with them, his livelihood.
I guess I would say, "The story was interesting, intriguing, amusing, funny at times, sad at times, tragic at times, mind-boggling at times, and a true accomplishment of the human spirit to live."
Now it's your turn...join the conversation...
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