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kate12303's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting book. It was a clever story, but I felt a lot of part dragged on so it took me a while to get through.
dwgradio's review against another edition
5.0
People either love this book or hate this book. I loved it. The ending is outstanding. I am anxious to see how much justice the film adaptation will do the original.
papillonidae's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
There is a part where the main character states that he has literally eaten excrement. Please be advised of this, it's not a fun detail for me either.mirame's review against another edition
4.0
Big marvellous story of survival. This was one of those books for me that I have wanted to read for a long time, but picked up something else because every time I have considered reading this book I have startted to have doubts that 400 pages of someone on a small boat on an ocean with an empty landscape would be fascinating. But when I had read just 10-20 pages I was hooked. I loved the writing style of Martel..everything he wrote was interesting. I could clearly see the images he created with words..the stillness and loneliness, and the storms and fear. And the tiger..I can clearly see him up close..and feel his warm breath. I haven't seen the movie yet, but as you are reading the book you kind of see some of the scenes like a movie because of the way Martel describes things and I'm curious to know if my mental images have been similar with the movie director. Everyone who recommended the book were right, Martel is a great story teller!
hollowman777's review against another edition
5.0
Ah what a wonderful story! I thought I wasn't going to like the ending but I was pleasantly surprised when the truth came out despite the improbability of it.
If you love animals, and if you love life, if you have a passion for belief in God, and if you have a desire for fancy writing and a great tail (spelled correctly) then this is the story for you. I doubt it makes the top charts on reading lists but it should.
Summary: PI Patel sets off on life only to wind up as a 16 year old castoway stranded alone at sea with a bengal tiger stranded with him in the life boat. It is a battle of wits, not sure who one the battle in the end but each came to rely upon the other for survival.
Breakdown Review:
Storyline: I give 5 out of 5 stars due to the depth and richness of this story.
Writing style: 4.5 out of 5 stars. He could have made this a complete work of religion and faith. The story works because he did not. Mr. Martel is strong writer with an enjoyable style. The multiple chapters... I believe 100 actually help pull the story. If there were fewer chapters I believe that the reader would have the sense that Mr. Martel was attempting to extend the storyline, but as it is it works perfectly.
Depth/Inspiration: 5 out of 5 stars. Hold on to living as long as you can. In your desperation when you run out of solutions God makes a way. I don't know how many will pick this up but it is there as well.
Entertainment/Education value: 3 out of 5 stars. Not as educating as it could have been but definitely entertaining. Not certain if it has a second read in it for me or not. Time might leave me craving for a second read and if it does then I'll also have to bump this up to a 5 star rating as well as the total value of the book.
If you love animals, and if you love life, if you have a passion for belief in God, and if you have a desire for fancy writing and a great tail (spelled correctly) then this is the story for you. I doubt it makes the top charts on reading lists but it should.
Summary: PI Patel sets off on life only to wind up as a 16 year old castoway stranded alone at sea with a bengal tiger stranded with him in the life boat. It is a battle of wits, not sure who one the battle in the end but each came to rely upon the other for survival.
Breakdown Review:
Storyline: I give 5 out of 5 stars due to the depth and richness of this story.
Writing style: 4.5 out of 5 stars. He could have made this a complete work of religion and faith. The story works because he did not. Mr. Martel is strong writer with an enjoyable style. The multiple chapters... I believe 100 actually help pull the story. If there were fewer chapters I believe that the reader would have the sense that Mr. Martel was attempting to extend the storyline, but as it is it works perfectly.
Depth/Inspiration: 5 out of 5 stars. Hold on to living as long as you can. In your desperation when you run out of solutions God makes a way. I don't know how many will pick this up but it is there as well.
Entertainment/Education value: 3 out of 5 stars. Not as educating as it could have been but definitely entertaining. Not certain if it has a second read in it for me or not. Time might leave me craving for a second read and if it does then I'll also have to bump this up to a 5 star rating as well as the total value of the book.
christientacos's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
kmvance's review against another edition
5.0
A very interesting book. The beginning is very slow but necessary to set the stage for the main plot of the books. The details are necessary to understand the life boat and the survival strategy of Pi and the animals that accompany him. It takes some wild twists and turns and the end was quite unexpected.
What I found most amazing about the book it's ability to describe life. Sometimes, during periods of great change and upheaval you can feel like a small boy on a life boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a tiger trying to just survive. The descriptions were spell binding.
I will not say any more about the plot. To know the end would ruin the book. Although, I do admit, once I finished the book I had to go back and re-read parts. They began to make much more sense.
In the beginning, put this book down twice. I stayed with it because it was a book choice for my book club. In the end, I'm glad I finished the book.
My advice. Stay with the book. It is so worth it.
What I found most amazing about the book it's ability to describe life. Sometimes, during periods of great change and upheaval you can feel like a small boy on a life boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a tiger trying to just survive. The descriptions were spell binding.
I will not say any more about the plot. To know the end would ruin the book. Although, I do admit, once I finished the book I had to go back and re-read parts. They began to make much more sense.
In the beginning, put this book down twice. I stayed with it because it was a book choice for my book club. In the end, I'm glad I finished the book.
My advice. Stay with the book. It is so worth it.
brodgers22's review against another edition
4.0
I read this a long time ago - when it first came out in paperback - and I loved it!