Average Rating: 
Rating:  - An inventive journey
First of all, when Pi begins his castaway journey I couldn't put the book down. The description, the terror, the combination of the various elements interacting with each other was brilliantly done. I had slowly chugged my way through the opening section, with Pi Patel's life in Pondicherry India as the son of a zookeeper; his observations of how animals are no freer in the wild than they are in zoos, and Pi's flirtations with three religions at the same time. At this point, it seemed too typical of recent novels, heavy on the philosophy and analysis but lacking in narrative and flow. This all changed when Pi became a castaway at sea.No spoilers here; I was glad I knew next to nothing about what this book was about before I read it, because it is quite the reading experience. Others are welcome to decipher all of the symbolism, but to Martel's credit he doesn't make it heavy-handed for those who just want to read for pleasure. For those who enjoy magical symbolism though, there is plenty here for you. The mysterious island still has me thinking.
Rating:  - Beautiful, Honest Prose
In its first step from the UK to the Commonwealth, the Booker Prize continues to identify books that do not disappoint. In Life of Pi, Yann Martel has written a book of incredible beauty.Unlike many highly praised books which rely on cleverness and complexity, the bulk of the story is a simple one. A zookeeper's son and a handful of animals are the only survivors when their ship goes down in the Pacific. In a matter of days, only the boy and a tiger are left. We then get to see how the boy and tiger survive the better part of a year together on a lifeboat before they finally come aground in Mexico. And yet, within this simple story is great depth of character and feeling. To be honest, I found Part One of this novel to be the most interesting. The world of the zoo in India, Pi's growth and participation in all three of the "religions of Abraham," as well as the quirks of his family and friends makes for wonderful reading. Once the shipwreck happens and the story turns to the survival of boy and tiger in Part Two, I thought the book lost a little. The story continues to be a very honest and believable one with many interesting tidbits, but this kind of survival is ground that's been tread before though, admittedly, not often as well. And despite the fact that Part Three brings the novel to a nice close, it doesn't have the fire of the beginning of the novel. Ultimately, however, this book stands head and shoulders over most of what's published today. Martel writes absolutely beautiful prose. There are some wonderful, quotable turns of phrase in this novel which is a rare occurrence in most modern writers. Pi is a deeply developed and sympathetic character. And the story comes across as perfectly believable despite the strangeness of some of the events. Martel's tone is one of incredible honesty. This is a book not to be missed.
Rating: - Wow, Just Wow!
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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