[TTLG Book Club] An introduction and August's selection: The Life of Pi (discuss!) - by Stitch
Morte on 1/8/2006 at 20:03
Quote Posted by Uncia
Also baffled by all the hype this book got about god, but I suppose it's a matter of what mindset you read the book with; the discussion of religion at the start was interesting, but survival on the boat and later revelation kind of put it off the front burner.
But I don't think it did, really. At least not enough for my tastes. That the book constantly reminds you of the fact that this is the adult Pi retelling the story killed the suspense, and made you more aware of the bits where he goes "This tiger is such a nice Hindu colour. And this forest is so green! And green is the colour of Islam! Do you see what I'm doing here, eh? Eh?" Speaking of the structure, I found the flashes to present day wholly redundant, and the book would've been better off without them.
I did like the bits about the zoo and animal and the day-to-day survival stuff on the boat though.
OnionBob on 1/8/2006 at 20:18
Quote Posted by Morte
But I don't think it did, really. At least not enough for my tastes. That the book constantly reminds you of the fact that this is the adult Pi retelling the story killed the suspense, and made you more aware of the bits where he goes "This tiger is such a nice Hindu colour. And this forest is so green! And green is the colour of Islam! Do you see what I'm doing here, eh? Eh?"
Come to think of it, the other problem with the way that this stuff is told is that it appears to be intended to pre-close criticisms of the book. Everything is presented as so clear and simple, and with such exuberance and enthusiasm, it's almost like the implication is that if you don't agree with Pi's observations, you must be a miserable person with no joy or love in your soul, or even worse, gasp, an
agnostic (although he curiously has a different opinion of atheists, because he believes they will all do a death-bed recanting of their Godless lives).
Stitch on 1/8/2006 at 20:30
Quote Posted by Morte
Speaking of the structure, I found the flashes to present day wholly redundant, and the book would've been better off without them.
Despite the fact that the flashes to the present were an extension of the theme of the book and, to some degree, the key to fully understanding it?
My main complaint with the structure of the book was that the first act could have been shortened considerably. The section dealing with Pi's conversaion to three different religions, for example, was rather cloying and preachy, and the service it did the novel could have been performed far more efficiently.
lomondtaffer on 1/8/2006 at 20:38
Like others, I have trouble seeing how this story is meant to make you believe in God. Certainly didn't have that effect on me, and I found the protagonist's attitude towards (gasp) agnostics smug and arrogant.
Was the tiger meant to represent the carnivorous survivor instinct that Pi couldn't face in himself ? If so, then the book is a fairly interesting tale of the kind of protective self-delusion we humans are capable of, and some of the descriptions, especially of the tiger and the island are enjoyable, but I too don't feel this book has changed me or made me think deeply.
Stitch on 1/8/2006 at 20:41
Quote Posted by OnionBob
Come to think of it, the other problem with the way that this stuff is told is that it appears to be intended to pre-close criticisms of the book. Everything is presented as so clear and simple, and with such exuberance and enthusiasm, it's almost like the implication is that if you don't agree with Pi's observations, you must be a miserable person with no joy or love in your soul, or even worse, gasp, an
agnostic (although he curiously has a different opinion of atheists, because he believes they will all do a death-bed recanting of their Godless lives).
I believe his fondness for atheists had nothing to do with death bed recanting and everything to do with the fact that Atheists at least have the balls to pick a side and believe in something, even if it is the absence of a god.
I agree with you overall, especially in regards to the tone of the book. I enjoyed the novel as a light diversion but the central conceit fails in its aims, as a good story is no more or less true than a bad one. Reality is reality, and any story is merely a distorted reflection of reality.
Low Moral Fiber on 1/8/2006 at 21:33
Pretty much in the same boat (lol) as "good tale in the middle, first part way too long and preachy, end part was HRRRM"
I'm definitely in agreement about the protagonist coming off as smarmy like a good ole' boy who just took philosophy his freshman year and is back visiting the farm with SO MANY STORIES...AND-AND IDEALS to share. That chapter in the middle that's only a paragraph or so long about agnostics and atheists on their deathbeds (can't see the forest for the trees/missing the big picture/throwing out the baby with the bath water durf) had my eyes threatening to roll straight into an xxxxxtreme barrel roll.
From the sinking ship onward, then perhaps ending immediately upon rescue would've made a more enjoyable read. Maybe not as much of a message, (thanks life of pi now i believe in god give this man a nobel prize) but a better standalone story.
Uncia on 1/8/2006 at 22:25
Quote Posted by Stitch
If you think a "true" story exists then I rather think you're missing the point of the book. Both versions of events are true, depending on your perspective.
Yes, and everyone in an arument has their side of the story, but just sitting on the edge going "ho hum, you make a good point ol' chap" isn't nearly as interesting as treating it like a mystery novel, considering the sides and actually picking one. It doesn't need to be The One True Side, just the one you personally think rings the most true. The world will not end if you pick the wrong one, it's just a damned book.
I really enjoyed the book myself, despite the character's occasional condescending remark. The survival parts were great, and the ending allowed me to indulge in my guilty pleasure of seeing the main character get shafted for his efforts. "You thought it was harsh before? Try this."
ercles on 2/8/2006 at 00:17
This book is actually an interesting example of a very post-modern style of writing (it was a while but perhaps post-structuralism). I thought the novel was designed to partly illuminate reader depending on which interpretation you believe, similar to the ink blot images used in psychological tests(Rorsharch?).
Para?noid on 2/8/2006 at 03:34
Quote Posted by ignatios
But there were unidentified/meerkat bones in the boat at the end.
Thankyou
The final chapter "story" was humouring the Japs. Another message about "belief", the way I see it - they didn't WANT to believe such an absurd story because it couldn't POSSIBLY have happened, right? ATHEIST FUCKS!!!
Schattentänzer on 2/8/2006 at 12:19
Life of Pi was an avarage quality read, in my opinion. The concept and some of the ideas were good, but it lacked in execution.
In terms of structure, the split in the book didn't become it well. I think a focus on either the spirtual (shipwrecked part) or material (India) conflict between religions would have been better. It certainly didn't help that the book was so full of in-your-face metaphors in the second part; if the various animals that represent certain aspects of Pi's personality were not enough, the garden of Eden complete with forbidden fruit was what overdid it for me. On the other hand, the second part also has painfully long sequences that don't add anything to the story.
On the good side, the book can be amusing if it wants to. The portrayal of the three big religion's "characters" is accurate and authentic - at least, I got a similar spirit from the people I've met so far. I also like how it avoids to address religious extremism.
