Life of Pi by Yann Martel

[Libby]

I've never watched this movie but I heard it was good (and sad). I'm really excited to read it! :)

[Biana]

I read the book because I wanted to see the movie. It's a personal goal of mine to read first. I mean, if I realize it was a book. (seems like every movie was a book once!)

As I read the book, I got so caught up in the tale that it assumed the movie would show all the fun details...like an orangutan on a net full of bananas. (In my reading group we actually had a big bowl of water so that each person could test that!)

The movie has some phenomenal CGI of the world beneath the water...colorful fish, giant whales, schools and schools of action and light and color. It was stunning. I was sorry that I hadn't seen it on the big screen. However, there was one thing that bugged me deeply...he holds Richard Parker's head in his lap at one point. But in the book there was a whole section on respecting the animal. Dang Hollywood!

I read this book for my short lived book club so I went online to prepare for the discussion group. There are endless sites available to help us understand the meanings behind each moment. Such as the island is an allegory for his religion and the importance of orange (which = safety). But I found that looking at the deeper meanings kind of stole the fun.

Enjoy!!!