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Life of Pi

Yann Martel

Start date: May 1, 2017

Finish date: May 31, 2017

Discussion: Monthly Group Reads

Why we're reading this: The topic/theme for May is Religion/Spiritual beliefs/Practices.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel Life
[close] The topic/theme for May is Religion/Spiritual beliefs/Practices.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel Life

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What Members Thought

May 26, 2015 Martha rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2016, fiction

This is an average sized book that took me NINE DAYS to read. It might not sound that remarkable but given that I can usually finish a book in three days, this one just dragged on and on.

I've given it three stars because I can appreciate the lyrical beauty of Martel's writing and it was certainly an incredible story, and one that I didn't dislike enough to abandon before the end

However

Any motivation to push through is quickly diminished when you find out, very early on, (view spoiler) This is an average sized book that took me NINE DAYS to read. It might not sound that remarkable but given that I can usually finish a book in three days, this one just dragged on and on.

I've given it three stars because I can appreciate the lyrical beauty of Martel's writing and it was certainly an incredible story, and one that I didn't dislike enough to abandon before the end

However

Any motivation to push through is quickly diminished when you find out, very early on, (view spoiler)

Finally, I liked Pi's approach to his religious faith and the idea of being Hindu, Muslim and Christian also once was entertaining - because why not?! I liked that his desire to be closer to God was the route of it, and highlighted the arbitrary nature of some of the divides between the religions. On the other hand, I didn't like the idea that this was a story that would "make you believe in God" - it really could not, and did not deliver on such a ludicrous promise.

A well-written, but ultimately disappointing read. ...more

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Nov 24, 2016 Laura H L rated it really liked it

Shelves: adventure, fantasy, catch-up

I started to read this book and found it to be incredibly slow for the first fifty pages or so. However, as I continued to read, it started drawing me in more and more. When on the boat, the story comes alive and the detail and description is brutal at times. I am glad I read it!

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