Yes. I read this and loved it. Have you finished it yet? What did you think?

We had a great discussion about this a few years back.

Martin, was it ever archived? Or does anyone have it for nomer?

nomer, here's the 2002 discussion we had, I didn't think I had saved it, but here it is. It was up for the Booker Prize that year, and it was one of my favorites.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
Posted by Martin on Mon, Oct 7, 02 at 14:03
Ok, I know I'm not the only person who has read this. (Hi, Karen!)
This book has been short-listed for the Booker, and I'd love to see it win. I've rarely enjoyed a book so much. It's not a difficult read, but it's got enough in it to make anyone think. It's full of little twists, and some lovely touches of humour.
It's the story of a sixteen-year-old boy called Pi (as in 3.14159 - you'll have to read the story to find out why!). He and his family are on a cargo ship on it's way to Canada, carrying several large zoo animals; the ship is shipwrecked, and Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with a zebra with a broken leg, a hyena, an orang-utan - and a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Which makes for a bit of a tense atmosphere....
It's a book that is likely to be difficult to discuss without posting spoilers, so be careful when you read this thread if you haven't read the book. It really is one of those books where I envy anyone coming to it for the first time. I'm sure I'll read it again soon.
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
 Posted by: Vicki T on Mon, Oct 7, 02 at 15:07
Martin -- Thanks for posting this. This book is one I've been contemplating buying for several months. Thanks to your recommendation I think I'll get it. Do you think this would be a good read for my book discussion group?
Vicki T.
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RE: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel (warning: potential spoilers)
 Posted by: Karen on Mon, Oct 7, 02 at 15:24
Hi Martin!
What a very good synopsis! I really loved this book as well, although some parts more than others. For example, the first third of the book was, to me, phenomenal! I loved the way Martel tied the three major religions to the natural history perspective and to one god of love. This is probably the closest representation of my own spirituality. The middle section of the book was very descriptive and powerful; however, I was hoping that the author would bring in more of Pi's spiritual growth into this part of the story. But, I felt the ending was wonderfully quirky and full of twists.
I must admit, I had a hard time with a couple of chapters - the one where Pi "meets" up with another (French and blind, I believe) shipwreck survivor, and the chapter of the algae island. I'm sure there is some deeper symbolism that I'm just not getting :)
Bottom line, this book was beautifully written, subtly humorous and enjoyable to read. I highly recommmend reading this book!
I'd love to hear more perspectives and opinions of this book.
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RE: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
 Posted by: Marg on Mon, Oct 7, 02 at 19:13
I just checked it...

I finished it a long time ago, but it was by far my favorite book. It was easy reading, but full of symbolism, which I love. Leaves lot's of room for interpretation. I still can't figure out the symbolism in the algae island. It seemed sort of fantastical, like maybe it didn't really happen, maybe it was a dream he had. And of course at the end, it leaves you wondering if it was all real, were the animals really members of his family and people that were on the boat with him and giving them animal qualities were his way of coping. This is a book I would like to sit down and discuss with the author.

So, any ideas on what algae island meant?

It's been a long while since I read it, and I never did figure out the algae island or those teeth. Given all the other symbolism in the book, it had to mean/represent something, right? What did you think?

I was in a local bookstore this evening and noticed that there is now a beautifully bound illustrated version of this book.

RF

I bet it has interesting artwork. Did you see who the illustrator is?

Sorry, I did not. I'll look again next time I'm there. I was busy admiring the really beautiful binding and the excellent quality of paper. I'm a fan of books as well-made objects, a secondary consideration to the contents, but still important in my eyes.

RF

The illustrator is Tomislav Torjanac, and there are samples of the illustrations on Amazon (see below). It looks wonderful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Life of Pi Deluxe Illustrated Edition

This was one of my all-time favorite books. I believe the following was from a second thread about LoP that was active in '03. I found the comments/interpretations very interesting.

SPOILERS!!!

RE: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
 Posted by: Archie (GPedal@cox.net) on Sun, Apr 27, 03 at 2:57
How glad I am that I found some discussion on this book because I can't find any anywhere else! I just read it and I feel it is one of the better books I have ever read.
Spoilers ahead!!!!
First off, I was a bit disappointed with the "2nd story" because I was so in love with the 1st. I tend to enjoy the more colorful and fantasy like stories. But then it makes all those feelings you had while reading the 1st so vivid. I felt hate and sympathy and disgust reading about the deaths of the animals and when paralleled to the 2nd story, it makes so much sense.
Being Pi was Vegan, do you think that the Island was a symbolic code for the life boat. An island that is a beautiful system of vegetation. A world floating in the ocean kinda like the life boat. With his rations, he was happy but the underlying evilness of him having to turn carnivore and all the feelings of shock a vegan would go through in eating meat represented in the discovery of the true nature of the island. A pure island of vegetaion...but being carnivorous to survive? The teeth representing the simple element of eating meat to survive paralleled to the seed for the continuation of life for the plant world.
Haha-basically I am lost until my wife reads the darn book and we can talk about! So, if you have any feelings about my interps or would like to share yours, please email me!
RE: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
 Posted by: Jenny in Ireland (jnelso@hotmail.com) on Wed, Apr 30, 03 at 6:28
Hello fellow Life of Pi fans,
* SPOILER ALERT *
A possible explanation for the dichotomy of the story struck me when I read "and so it is with God" in the final pages, i.e., that God also prefers the use of parables to get His point across, rather than blunt statement of fact. Pi spoke a lot about sprituality in the first part of the book, then the middle part was a very symbolic parable, similar to the parables used by all three religions he expresses an interest in from the outset.
Could it be that the entire story is a parable, which he explains in the end by giving us the "true story"? Of course that leaves most readers feeling somewhat dissatisfied with such a banal (and gruesome) explanation of a magical tale, so we opt to believe in the fantasy instead. Isn't this the same "Public Relations tool" used by all religions?
I'm not a cynic, by the way, and I prefer the magical tale too, but this thought did strike me once I'd finished the book.
What do you guys think?
I have no idea about the island, but given the overall spiritual theme running through the book, I'd guess that there must be some spiritual connection there. I like the thought of him being relieved at not having...

Did you see that they've released an illustrated version? Looks neat!

Here is a link that might be useful: Illustrated Life of Pi

sheri, thats for archiving this thread. I just finished the book and our book group discussed it last night. I'd like to add a few of my thoughts

When I finished, I realized it was not a book that 'will make you believe in God' as the blurb said. Its a book that helps you understand why people need to believe. The end, where there are two choices, is the key - the first story is the one chosen by the Japanese men, because well to be frank the second story is just too horrid to believe. We believe because to not believe is just not possilbe (and I don't just mean belief in God)

Tho as our discussion developed I realized there is a very good reason for the second story. If we think that the second story is the realistic one, very possibly the correct one, then we have to figure out what the first one was all about. Could it be simply Pi's need to defend his actions in the second? And is he really Richard Parker, who needs to be tamed? I also wondered about the island, and assumed it was a place that was filled with life, a place that helped him come back to life. Tho those teeth - the island is carniverous. The tiger knew that, coz he kept going back to his boat every night. This is all conjecture - I am interested in hearing more interpretations.

Its also possible, as one lady last night mentioned, that both stories are true, and like religions, all stories have a germ of truth in them. For each individual person chooses the 'story' that best helps them survive in the world.

My fav part by the way was his section on fear. Its how Pi learns to overcome his fear, whether its to keep his tiger at bay, or to keep his animal side from hurting others.

Anyway, I loved the book and am still thinking about it. Its been a while - has anyone else read it recently and would like to add their thoughts?

I'd like to bump this back to the top to ask for some help.

I read Life of Pi back a few years when it first came out. The book group (of 10 women) I'm a member of are interested in reading Life of Pi so I selected it as my book choice for the month of September. I will have to re-read it just to refresh my memory but in the meantime I have a request.

Those who select the book, also host the meeting at their home and offer food and refreshments. We like to choose foods that correspond to the book if possible. I'm drawing a blank as to what to serve (other than Tiger Bars and orange juice :-)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jodi-

I would have tropical and Indian flavored food. Cubed skewered fruit with a yogurt dip, hummus and pita bread triangles, curried chicken skewers with a mango dip, ...that sort of thing.
It doesn't have to be authentic just give the flavor of the book.
Fruit smoothies with fruit skewers would be great, for instance.
I'm into food on a stick at the moment!

I seem to remember Pi eating lots of fresh seafood -- how about some sushi. :)

Thanks BBeez and Sarah, great ideas! Food on a stick works for me too. :-) And sushi is definitely a good choice considering where Pi ate each day and the fact that I love Japanese food (and the how book group knows this).

Keep those suggestions coming.

Jodi-

I dunno - I'm not sure I could eat during a discussion of Life of Pi! However, when I was a little kid there was something called Tiger Milk. Thats the first thing that comes to my mind. Have fun, and report back about your discussion.

Frosted Flakes? No, I would go with thai food. It goes with the exotic nature of the landscape in the book (plus it is so darn delicious).

Jo

Frosted Flakes! LOL

Tiger's Milk Bars is what I was referring to when I said Tiger Bars in my earlier post.

I didn't find an actual "Tiger's Milk" liquid product but... did find the recipe for Tiger's Milk cocktail. That should come in handy. :-)

Tiger's Milk recipe

1 oz dark rum
1 oz brandy
4 oz milk
2 tsp sugar

Shake ingredients in a shaker half filled with ice. Strain ingredients into an old-fashioned glass with ice.

Jodi-