Wednesday, 28 July 2010

Book Review: Life of Pi by Yann Martel

I'm not going to lie. I've heard a lot about this book and I never planned to read it. It just didn't seem appealing to me. But, a friend here offered to loan it to me when I ran out of my own books to read. So, I gave it a shot.

And I liked it. Until I got to the end. I'm not going to spoil the book by telling  you what happens. But I was having a good time, reading along with Pi's adventures and marveling at his acomplishments. A boy trapped on a lifeboat with a tiger made for a compelling story.

I immediately rejected the ending of the book as a cop out. But then I gave it some thought. The more I thought about it the more I think I understand what the author was trying to do. It often works in great works of literature. But it didn't work here. Nope, Mr. Martel, I want a do over. I want a better ending. I want an ending that flows with the sense of adventure I got from reading the book. I don't want  a halfshot attempt at a "literary"/"thinking"ending. Thats not what you set me up for. So, if you ever get around to rewriting the ending, let me know.

Other than the  ending, I enjoyed reading this book. I could see the characters, the zoo, the tiger. I really liked the thoughts Pi had about religion. I mean, you're stuck on a boat with a predatory animal- what better to think about?

Have you read it? Did you feel the same way I did about the ending? Or am I totally off the wall here?

2 comments:

  1. I read this book a few years ago, like you, because I'd heard people rave about it. And also the back of the book said something about the spiritual insights that will change your life or something? And like you, I thought it was a let-down and made me a little upset I'd invested so much reading it! I have to say though that I didn't enjoy it all that much even in the middle, though. I think it'd take more than just an ending re-write to make me like it! :)

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  2. I've picked that book up many times and considered buying it...maybe I will, now!!

    Thanks for c omin' by my blog yesterday!

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