Life of Pi, a novel that was published back in 2001 and has become popular once again because of the movie that was released this year (which I have not seen). I admit I only heard about it about three years ago, I came across it at a book store, the title stuck out to me, but I dismissed it. Then I started to notice other people talking about it. So I decided to put it on my to read list.
It did not disappoint me. A boy, 16 years-old, shipwrecked. With him in his lifeboat is a Zebra with a broken leg, a gorilla, a hyena, and a bengal tiger called Richard Parker. Yah, so his father owned a zoo in India. For whatever reason I thought this would be a nice story where a boy lands on a deserted island and all the animals get along because of course that is what happens when you take zoo animals and stick them with a boy and give them no food. NOT. So it was more violent and messy than I was expecting, but I believe that is what makes the book so good. It felt more real, almost believable. It almost felt like this book was based on a true story, though it is not, and if it were I'm not so sure things would have turned out the same.
This book made me think a lot. Looking at Pi's view on religion and life made me reflect on my own views of religion and life. I wondered how I would fare on a life boat alone with only some carnivorous animals for company. Would I go crazy? Would I be all right? I'm pretty introverted and like being alone, so I'm not sure that would be so bad. But to not have anything to read? I can be pretty sure I would have read that instruction manuel a dozen times or more.
The end threw me for a bit of a loop. Being left to decide what really happened, what was true, what wasn't. I'm not sure if I want to make that decision. I know what it is I want to be true, and I know what it is that seems more likely to be true, and those two things are not the same. But isn't that how it often happens with life.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars (I'm holding out on the 5 for a book that I fall head over heals in love with). I would definitely recommend it for others to read.
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