Should I read it?

[Anne]

Time is precious and I could just see the movie, after watching Ang Li (sp?) accept the Oscar for Best Director. Should I read it first? Snow days coming... :)

[Richard]

hell you should read everything. it's a not bad book, seems to be quite wildly interpretted - eg i took it as an anti faith novel that reaffirmed my atheism whereas many others took it as a faith novel that bought them closer to god

so in that respect, it's worth a read

[Will]

It's a quick and easy read, so you wouldn't have wasted a lot of time even if you dislike it.

[Anne]

Sandyboy wrote: "hell you should read everything. it's a not bad book, seems to be quite wildly interpretted - eg i took it as an anti faith novel that reaffirmed my atheism whereas many others took it as a faith n..."

Thx for your feedback. I've heard it's a big question mark, as to what is real, etc.

[Anne]

Will wrote: "It's a quick and easy read, so you wouldn't have wasted a lot of time even if you dislike it."

Probably going to download tonight. Thx for feedback :)

[Bette]

Great comments -- To me, this is a book about a metaphysical, even mystical,spiritual journey. I didn't see that it had anything to do with religion, or what one believes, or doesn't believe about God.

[Alexandra]

Read the book. You will live it so much more intensely than just by watching the movie. And, remember, movies based on books are just adaptations. The real deal is (in) the book.

I, personally, loved the book. It doesn't matter which is real or even if all of it is just fiction. People should concentrate on what they can learn from the book, not on whether it`s true or not.

One last thing: You view a movie, but you live a book.

Let me know how you liked it.

[Anne]

Love that thought, Ada: You view a movie, but you live a book. THx!

[Anne]

Anne wrote: "Will wrote: "It's a quick and easy read, so you wouldn't have wasted a lot of time even if you dislike it."

Probably going to download tonight. Thx for feedback :)"

Your thoughts make me want to read it even more. I love spiritual journeys. thx :)

[Amy]

Simply YES!

[Rasha]

Sure, actually the movie is fantastic but it missed a lot of the novel's nice details.

[Rebecca]

I wish I could go back and time and unread it.

[Anne]

Rebecca wrote: "I wish I could go back and time and unread it."

why?

[Corey]

I read the book first, then saw the movie. Found the movie to twist the story into a cheesy pro-faith family kinda thing. The interactions between Pi and the biographer (in the film) were done horribly.

I loved the book and would read it again. As Will mentioned, it's a quick and easy read.

[Sarina]

I'm still debating. I have the ebook,(I'll soon get access to hand-held book in library after a few days) and the movie is only a few stores away. Which one will I love? Sometimes it's movie for me, mostly it's book, on rare occasions, it's both for me(like LOTR). What to do?

[Farida]

DEFINITELY READ IT!! One of my favorite books ever!

[Shirley]

NO. So unsatisfying.

[Golnaz]

It is an easy read. This book is a spiritual journey. I liked it a lot.

[Elena]

I am not a religious person and did not go into reading this book thinking it will suddenly turn me into a super Christian, however I thought the ending was extremely phylosphical and interesting and definitely makes you think...

[Anne]

thank you for all the comments
Shirley and Rebecca -- WHY didn't you like it?
I'm 25% in and really enjoy Pi Patel and his interactions with the three faiths
So curious about when the tiger on the ocean thing begins
Have to put it down until later tho
Let us know WHAT didn't work for you! I like to consider all sides.

[Shirley]

If you're currently reading it Anne, I don't want to ruin it for you, so I'll just say that it slowly descends into ridiculousness. I didn't appreciate the sloppy metaphors and forced poignancy.

[Bette]

@Erin If you know what was awful for you, you will know more about yourself, and possibly may want to read the book. I've written that (for me)it is a story of a spiritual journey, not religious -- and I also add self discovery.The story will not mean the same for you, as it does for others. Pi doesn't begin the part of his journey on the boat, until 1/3 of the way into the book. There are many books that read us.

[Elena]

Regardless of the book and its meaning, I really don't like when people say "I hated the book so much, I didn't even finish it" > well, if you didn't finish it, how do you know that you hated it and how do you know that you wouldn't have liked the rest of the book? Maybe there was something about the book that you could have liked had you given it a chance and read it 'till the end... I'm not just talking about this book, but all books. My biggest pet peeve is not finishing a book, so even if it is the most tedious and boring one I make myself stick it out until the end - at least skimming and speed reading it... Sometimes it does confirm my initial belief that it "sucks", but more often than not, I'm left thinking "well that was an interesting twist, I guess it wasn't a complete waste of my time..." ;)
Again - this is not just about "Life of Pi" - my opinion is that all books should be given a chance if you already picked it up and started reading... Leaving it unfinished means I could have possibly missed out on something and always leaves me wondering... But - maybe that's just me :)

[Michele]

Shirley wrote: "If you're currently reading it Anne, I don't want to ruin it for you, so I'll just say that it slowly descends into ridiculousness. I didn't appreciate the sloppy metaphors and forced poignancy."

Rasha wrote: "Sure, actually the movie is fantastic but it missed a lot of the novel's nice details."

[Michele]

I thought I was the only person who didn't like this book. I have no desire to see the movie, either. The story just didn't grab me. I read it for a book club a few years ago and finished it only because of that.

[Bette]

@Elena I think this is "just you", as you noted. This is a group that shares thoughts about books, not group therapy. You're attacking and judging a total stranger, because they didn't finish a book? Wow. That's ugly.

[Elena]

@Bette - i'm sorry, how did I attack and judge anyone?! As you said - this is a group discussion and we are all allowed to discuss and share thoughts and opinions. In fact, going back to your post just before mine, you wrote to someone who didn't finish the book: "@Erin If you know what was awful for you, you will know more about yourself, and possibly may want to read the book." > so based on what you wrote, I thought we shared a similar opinion - that only after a book is finished you can draw the final conclusion... Is that not what you meant?!

[Bette]

I stand corrected, and totally apologize if I offended anyone. I was responding to developed discussion, of "Read or Not Read", even though that did not come straight from @Erin (I don't believe). It was the nature of my perception of this book, specifically, that drove my thought/comment. It is none of my business who reads what. I am sincerely sorry to you, and to anyone else I offended. Peace.

[Elizabeth]

Definitely read the book, in my opinion! This is in my top 10 favorite books of all time. Fantastic writing, and it makes you think. I'm not sure that the movie could cover the depths of what is in the book (haven't seen it yet but plan to). You can be religious or not...the book sort of explores everything. Really recommend it!

[Merry]

This is an excellent book and is one I will definitely read again down the road. It was a true adventure for me and I could not put it down. Only the very beginning was a little slow but after that it was a very fun ride!

[Amy]

I thought this book was very well written. The author keeps you engage from beginning to end, and that is amazing since the main character is stuck on a boat for the majority of the book. Also, this book makes you question topics, like religion and the animal kingdom, on a deeper level. I suggest you read this; it is befitting for any age.

[Susie]

I thought the story of every, every day on the boat got tiresome after a while. I know being adrift for 200+ days gets pretty tedious but I would have been fine if the journey only took 150 days.

It was also very savage. A story like this is bound to be, but after a while I got the point. I didn't need day in and day out descriptions of it.

I also don't see a religious message in it. I think any experience like that will make you re-evaluate your faith. A good, tightly woven story can be a metaphor. A story that belabors a point or an experience can be really dull.

[Cyndy]

I suggest you read it, it's about survial regardless of who your shipmates are. I had a little trouble with the animal violence, but I have trouble watching PBS.

[Yassmin]

I say read it too. I loved it, and realised that the ending could have different meanings for different people, depending on your perspective. It was one of those books that stayed with me for days after I'd finished it.

[Rachel]

yes, just ye. it was an awesome book that i find everyone should read. very interesting. kind of sad, but interesting. had never read a book like this until now

[Alexandra]

@Anne, have you read the book yet? :)

[Karen]

I personally didn't think it lived up to all the hype. It was just "ok." Have you decided to read it? I'll be interested to hear your opinion.

[Nancy]

Erin wrote: "NO! IT'S AWFUL!! I DIDNT EVEN FINISH IT!!"

Bette wrote: "@Erin If you know what was awful for you, you will know more about yourself, and possibly may want to read the book. I've written that (for me)it is a story of a spiritual journey, not religious --..."
I did't like it, however, I think it was because I took it too literally. I just didn't get it. If I read it again, I would probably like it.

[Wanda]

I read the book first and then saw the movie. Glad I did, as the movie was hard to follow. My friend who had not read the book, kept asking me to explain the movie to her. The book was very good and if you can find the hardback edition, the illustrations are very colorful and fantastic. The movie is not for children as it is a story of brutal survival, but oh so well written.

[Beth]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!

[Kate]

i tried to read this afew years ago and gave up early on. Last night i watched the film and now i can't stop thinking about it!! i have fallen in love with the whole thing and today just want to talk and talk to someone else who loves it...unfortunatly all things philosophical are lost on my Husband and he fell asleep well before the end!..(view spoiler)[ when i tried to explain to him this morning that Richard Parker was actually Pi and that he had eaten the other crew members, who were really the cook the Buddhist and his mother, to survive -if that's the version you choose to believe, having some faith i choose The Tiger - he just looked at me blankly and then said "so what did the Meerkats have to do with it then?" lol ..i was impressed because i thought he was asleep ages before then :) (view spoiler)[
Anyway...i am basing all this on a film so now i HAVE TO read this book...i am obsessed!! (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Akash]

the book is way better than the movie...i first say the movie,then read the book then saw the movie again:).....

@Wanda -i disagree that it is not for children..im 13 and enjoyed it a lot..it was brutal especially the zebra dying but it changed my perspective of animals and zoos completely.....

[Sharon]

Yes, read it, it is wonderful. I read it for the second time after seeing the movie and it was an even better read than the first time.

[Kate]

Osho wrote: "To tag spoilers, type

(without any spaces) at the beginning and

(without any spaces) at the end."

thanks :)

[Siju]

Golnaz wrote: "It is an easy read. This book is a spiritual journey. I liked it a lot."

Indeed.

[Melanie]

I loved the book but am afraid to see the movie in case it spoils my memory of it. It is definitely a spiritual journey. I would recommend reading it.

[Bette]

@ Melanie The movie unfolded right along with my images from the book. A 3D disc and a standard digital come with the Blu Ray purchase. I did get some emotion with the Blu Ray, but am going to see what the 3D does for me. Regardless of which format you watch, I don't think it will spoil your memory of the book, at all. Actually, you'll be reminded of some things that have gone to your subconscious, and you'll be surprised at your response in some scenes.
The book was definitely a spiritual journey,and the movie reminds us that the journey began long before the boat sank. I've enjoyed the forum commentary, about it being a book that would make one believe in God, and comments that were more about religion than spirituality. I didn't understand where that originated, because Pi believed in God; his talk was about becoming a Christian. So, regardless of anyone's take on the book, I think the movie serves everyone. Nothing replaces a book, but I do want to watch it again. Richard Parker, Richard Parker !!

[Ujangheri]

Should i read it?

[Koby]

I STRONGLY suggest reading this. The first 90 pages or so is what kills the reader. I personally like learning the story of his family and childhood, but my brother in high school hates it. It is worth it. The movie was great too. It is an amazing book.

[Akash]

thats odd...i think the first 90 pages are the best in the book!!I IMHO