Life of Pi by Yann Martel | Post 3

I finished Martel's book, the Life of Pi. From the last few chapters I have been able to pull a lot out of the book.
One of the main concepts I see around the end is the concept of repetition. As Pi floats in the Pacific with Richard Parker, his activities do not vary day to day. Even if they do, it is always in the slightest bit. This is important because it leads to lack of time. This lack of time allows Pi to keep his sanity. He eventually realizes that he has been on the boat for many months; almost the entire year. At this point, things begin to deteriorate. Both beings go hungry, but luckily they wash ashore in Mexico, and are saved.
This was a very interesting story to read, and I hope to read more stories like this in the future.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel | Post 2

I believe I am almost done with this fantastic novel. Yann Martel sure can tell a captivating story. So far, Pi has been stuck on a lifeboat with no food or water, but on board are a live zebra, orangutan, hyena, and a Bengal Tiger. After all the other animals have been "disposed" of, the tiger, who is named Richard Parker, scares Pi out of his wits. But soon, the two learn to coexist, and Pi begins attempting to train the tiger.
I love the storytelling in this book, how Pi uses his clever wits to survive the voyage to safety. There are many Indian folklore that put the narrator in the same scenario: he is in desperate trouble, and the only companion he has is a tiger. Also, this story reminds me of the book The Hatchet by Gary Paulson. Bith share an idea of survivability and the hardships of survival. The tiger is the same thing in The Life of Pi, as was the hostile wilderness surrounding the narrator in The Hatchet. I'm practically done with the book, so next week I will have a new book to share.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel | Post 1

This is a new reading experience for me. I have never read a book in America that had dealt with a topic like this. I have read a book like this in a Hindu folk lore book. It seems that the American culture is beginning to adapt some Indian stories, such as the recently famous movie "Slumdog Millionaire". These stories are very common in India, but to the Americans here who have never heard of such stories, it feels like a whole new world.

In this book Pi Patel is a devout follower of God. He wishes to worship God, no matter what it takes. His parents operate a zoo in India. Pi attends school with other Hindu children, and then Christian students. When he is first introduced to Christianity, he loves the general idea of worshiping god. The same goes for when he meets an Imam in the Muslim district. He eventually begins to tie all three religions into one large religion.

Color of Water | Post #3

I have finally finished this fantastic book! I can't believe how good it was. The book was a told from a perspective of a harsh life, one filled with many moments where you feel true pity for James and his mom. There life seems bleak and obsolete in the first few chapters, but by the end it lightens up a bit. James and his mom witness the death of many loved ones, violence, racism, abuse, and situations of complete fear. I though the book was incredible in the detail that it provided. And another good thing about the book is that it is actually realistic. Everything in the book can really happen to someone. It is in no way near far fetched. Also, since the story takes place about 40-50 years ago, it gives a completely new perspective of the world. It shows the views of African Americans, Jews in America, Christian Southerners, and Christian Northerners. I loved every ounce of this book, and hope to read many more like it.

The Color of Water | Post #2

I simply love this book at this point. Thanks to Kaz for his recommendation.

This book really appeals to me, because in each chapter something dramatic happens to either James or his mother. The interesting part of the book is that you can always expect something to happen. Also, since this book is nonfiction, it makes the story seem legitimately true. I can visualize most of the scenes, such as the scene where James punches the kid who had a Black Panther as a father. Sometimes, you feel as if you are actually there in the story along side James.

I hope this book continues following this pattern, because it may well be one of the best books I have ever read.