The Life of Pi 2 stars >Listopia>Books That Make You Laugh

[DianeMP]

While Life of Pi has an intriguing premise, castaway boy sharing a lifeboat with a tiger, the execution is flawed. The plot meanders around as events happen more or less chronologically. I did not like the description of the many animals being butchered. SPOILER ALERT! It was obscenely graphic and extraneous to the plot. Two slaughter scenes in particular were especially grotesque. I am a great lover of sea turtles. I thought the details of this section of the book to be offensive and far too graphic for my taste. The other particularly disturbing scene was the amputation of the cabin boy's leg and his subsequent death and dismemberment. The endless description of preparation and consumption of various body parts was disgusting. I guess you get my point.
Basically not a fan of Life of Pi. But you be the judge.

Cross post to Listopia- Books that Make You Laugh (?)

[Jason]

Yeah, I have no idea why this would be under books that make you laugh. This is one of the few books that not only do I dislike, but I passionately dislike it.

[LibraryCin]

Diane, I think you'll want to add "Listopia" to the title of this thread, so as to earn extra participation points for it also fitting the monthly tag.

[DianeMP]

Thanks, I added Listopia to the title.

[DianeMP]

Jason wrote: "Yeah, I have no idea why this would be under books that make you laugh. This is one of the few books that not only do I dislike, but I passionately dislike it."

For being such a popular book, it seems like many people do not like this book.

[KateNZ]

Very strange to be on this list - how misleading.

Personally, I loved the book and it has some quirkily humorous moments, but it's a full-on tragedy not a comedy. And, as you say, it has some truly horrific scenes.

[DianeMP]

KateNZ wrote: "Very strange to be on this list - how misleading.

Personally, I loved the book and it has some quirkily humorous moments, but it's a full-on tragedy not a comedy. And, as you say, it has some tru..."

Not a clue.

[Booknblues]

KateNZ wrote: "Very strange to be on this list - how misleading.

Personally, I loved the book and it has some quirkily humorous moments, but it's a full-on tragedy not a comedy. And, as you say, it has some tru..."

I also loved this book, but understand when others don't.

[Amy]

Was never drawn to this one, despite the raves.

[Rachel N.]

I liked this book, except for the ending, but there is no way I would consider it a book that made me laugh. How strange it's on that list.

[LibraryCin]

Rachel wrote: "I liked this book, except for the ending, but there is no way I would consider it a book that made me laugh. How strange it's on that list."

I agree with Rachel. I also liked the book, but can't see how it would be on that list!

[Barbara M]

Considering the list it was in, you definitely started with an expectation for humor - I did not find it humorous at all. I did enjoy it though.

[Nicole D.]

horrible book and NOT funny

[Book Concierge]

I really liked this book - 4**** - and I've read it twice (second time listened to the audio). But definitely NOT humor!

[Jason]

I finally put it together. The reason for being in Books That Make You Laugh is the absurdity of the ending or the fact that that you spent all this time on a book only to be hoodwinked at the end. You have to laugh so you don't get angry or cry. (coming from someone who really didn't like this book because of the Island onwards)

[Jen]

Jason wrote: "I finally put it together. The reason for being in Books That Make You Laugh is the absurdity of the ending or the fact that that you spent all this time on a book only to be hoodwinked at the end...."

Now this makes me laugh. I thought the book was okay until the island too but I hated it from there on

[Nicole R]

Just reading this review makes me fill up with hatred. I. Despised. This. Book.

[Jgrace]

I liked the book. I did feel hoodwinked and betrayed when I got the 'island', but I got over it. The book made me think. Once I realized that it was allegorical, I had to rethink everything that I'd already read. I like survival stories. This one was about physical and psychological survival. I still think about it.

And what I'm thinking about it right now is that whatever it was, it was not funny.

[Jason]

Jen, I enjoyed it too until the island.

[Nicole]

Hmmmm ... I actually saw the movie before I picked up the book and I think this might have allowed me to enjoy it better. I already understood that the entire thing was an extended metaphor and had an opportunity to analyze everything in that light.

Personally, I wavered between four or even five stars with this book. A solid 4.5 star read for me and most likely top 10 the year I read it.

[KateNZ]

I love it when we find a book that we have such different reactions to!

[Jason]

Kate, me too. It's amazing what draws one but repels another.

Nicole, that is interesting that watching the movie first set your expectations. I had not watched the movie or had really any prior knowledge other than a boy and a tiger on a boat together. I get the metaphor and the purpose of the ending. I was just enjoying the story I was already reading.