This was the first long novel I ever read. I was 12 and I loved the movie so much I asked my dad to buy me the novel. Finished it in 10 days. I still own the same copy and read it again at 22. Im 25 now I think ill read it again.
I read the book in sixth grade, after seeing the movie. I can't honestly say I remember that much of it (it could be a little tedious, with the descriptions of his different contraptions and whatnot- but to me, the religious parts made it worth it. I love reading about religion). The idea of the symbolism behind the Carnivorous Island- doubt, non-committance, a spot where you're comfortable but will never progress from- didn't even cross my mind. I think this was a really enlightening take, along with the idea of Richard Parker symbolizing his need for God, as well as himself.
Love your insight on the symbolism because I did not catch a lot of it when reading. I read this book a while ago and I think the most memorable part of the book was the big reveal.. which kind of goes nowhere.
I really enjoyed this discussion...I read Life of Pi ages ago - I think soon after it was published, and I remember liking it. I wonder if I would have a different opinion reading it now - I feel like perhaps it was a reflection of popular philosophy on religion of the time, a philosophy which now might be stagnant. Kind of like the meerkats...now everyone knows what a meerkat is but there was a time (before Lion King came out lol) when most people didn't (I did because I spent many of my childhood years in South Africa but I remember having to explain what they were to school friends)- but as much as I liked it at the time I think I never quite had the desire to pick it up again. I remember the movie visuals were stunning! it's been a while since I saw the movie too! Thank you for this wonderful discussion!
I grew up watching that meerkat show on animal planet, so I'm sure that really helped meerkat popularity 😆 But that's so cool you grew up in South Africa! What part?? And thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed my analysis 😁
I thought I read that they had to tone that dark stuff down in the movie because of the rating. Seeing that it was released in 3D and IMAX back then, I can see why they wanted more audiences to be able to see it. I haven’t read this book yet, although I still want to! I loved the movie. The part where Pi talks about wanting to thank his dad and RIchard Parker made me cry :(
I tried to read this book but could not make it through first few pages. The part which really pissed me off is when the author tries to ridicule the idea that animals in zoos are not happy because of lack of freedom. To prove his point, he argues that animals in forests are also not free, and that free will is an illusion.The mere stupidity of this argument really did it for me. I am ok with people who disagree with me in a conversation. But a one-way conversation in a book, where the author rambles on like this while trying to come off as a mature philosopher, became totally unbearable.
Just a note about the author... I dont think the author in the book represents Yann Martel, but its a separate fictional character. Martel makes use of this frame narrative to tell the story of pi. Pi is telling this story to the fictitious author. So Yann Martel is NOT the author. Hope that helps
In 2010 President Obama sent a letter to Yann Martel which said “My daughter and I just finished reading Life of Pi together. Both of us agreed we prefer the story with animals. It is a lovely book - an elegant proof of God, and the power of storytelling. Thank you.” As an atheist I disagree. The book was incredibly preachy. I prefer the movie which is visually beautiful but whether lost at sea or lost on land we are alone and no matter how beloved our graves eventually go unattended as we enter the vast void of nothingness. Oh look....it's lunchtime. Can't wait to eat. Have a great day Laura. 🤡
Yeah something I found interesting was in the book it made it seem like this really happened and kind of made it seem like a true story but then seems fiction at the same time.
@@WhytheBookWins yeah so I read this when I was in HS (around 2012 2013) before the movie came out and the OG printing didn't say it was novel and a lot of places (including my school library) were putting it in teh nonfiction and it wasn't till the movie came out (and apparently at that point the author came out and said yes its a work of fiction when OG he wanted it to be up to the reader but because of the confusion this caused with stores and libraries about do we put it in nonfiction as a dramatic autobiography or do we put it as fiction im assuming his publisher etc pressured him to come out and clear it up) that it was firmly put in the fiction category.
Thanks! And surprisingly I have not! I have read all of the books and love them, but there is already so much Harry Potter content out there so I just haven't bothered doing my own.
I read the book but skipped the movie. A) I TOTALLY missed the symbolism, and your explanation of that brings a little more coherence to the story. B) Like a number of readers, I bought into the earnest assurances that this was a true story, at least until the meerkats. C) As a polemic proving God, ehhh. There's a bin for that that already has C.S. Lewis. D) I actually liked the exposition on zoo ethics.
This was the first long novel I ever read. I was 12 and I loved the movie so much I asked my dad to buy me the novel. Finished it in 10 days. I still own the same copy and read it again at 22. Im 25 now I think ill read it again.
I read the book in sixth grade, after seeing the movie. I can't honestly say I remember that much of it (it could be a little tedious, with the descriptions of his different contraptions and whatnot- but to me, the religious parts made it worth it. I love reading about religion). The idea of the symbolism behind the Carnivorous Island- doubt, non-committance, a spot where you're comfortable but will never progress from- didn't even cross my mind. I think this was a really enlightening take, along with the idea of Richard Parker symbolizing his need for God, as well as himself.
Thanks 😊 I'm glad you found it to be an interesting interpretation!
Love your insight on the symbolism because I did not catch a lot of it when reading. I read this book a while ago and I think the most memorable part of the book was the big reveal.. which kind of goes nowhere.
Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful!
I really enjoyed this discussion...I read Life of Pi ages ago - I think soon after it was published, and I remember liking it. I wonder if I would have a different opinion reading it now - I feel like perhaps it was a reflection of popular philosophy on religion of the time, a philosophy which now might be stagnant. Kind of like the meerkats...now everyone knows what a meerkat is but there was a time (before Lion King came out lol) when most people didn't (I did because I spent many of my childhood years in South Africa but I remember having to explain what they were to school friends)- but as much as I liked it at the time I think I never quite had the desire to pick it up again. I remember the movie visuals were stunning! it's been a while since I saw the movie too! Thank you for this wonderful discussion!
I grew up watching that meerkat show on animal planet, so I'm sure that really helped meerkat popularity 😆 But that's so cool you grew up in South Africa! What part??
And thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed my analysis 😁
Pretoria but I have been all over the country. It's a beautiful place!@@WhytheBookWins
I thought I read that they had to tone that dark stuff down in the movie because of the rating. Seeing that it was released in 3D and IMAX back then, I can see why they wanted more audiences to be able to see it. I haven’t read this book yet, although I still want to! I loved the movie. The part where Pi talks about wanting to thank his dad and RIchard Parker made me cry :(
Read this age ago on audiobook and I never wanted to hear the word “tarpaulin” again after.
Love your breakdown of the symbolism
😆 Glad you liked the video!
I tried to read this book but could not make it through first few pages. The part which really pissed me off is when the author tries to ridicule the idea that animals in zoos are not happy because of lack of freedom. To prove his point, he argues that animals in forests are also not free, and that free will is an illusion.The mere stupidity of this argument really did it for me. I am ok with people who disagree with me in a conversation. But a one-way conversation in a book, where the author rambles on like this while trying to come off as a mature philosopher, became totally unbearable.
Yeah I agree, he sounded very condescending at times when talking about certain subjects and that was frustrating.
Just a note about the author... I dont think the author in the book represents Yann Martel, but its a separate fictional character. Martel makes use of this frame narrative to tell the story of pi. Pi is telling this story to the fictitious author. So Yann Martel is NOT the author. Hope that helps
I read some of the book and absolutely love the movie. Such a beautiful and massive adventure.
Yeah the visuals are amazing!
In 2010 President Obama sent a letter to Yann Martel which said “My daughter and I just finished reading Life of Pi together. Both of us agreed we prefer the story with animals. It is a lovely book - an elegant proof of God, and the power of storytelling. Thank you.” As an atheist I disagree. The book was incredibly preachy. I prefer the movie which is visually beautiful but whether lost at sea or lost on land we are alone and no matter how beloved our graves eventually go unattended as we enter the vast void of nothingness. Oh look....it's lunchtime. Can't wait to eat. Have a great day Laura. 🤡
Yeah the book is so preachy! I believe in God and was still annoyed by it lol. Enjoy your lunch! 😊
I'm not much of a book reader idk why I'm just not but I did love the movie and I love your explanation of both book & movie.
Thanks!
Thank you so much❤🙏🏽
You're welcome!
Yeah something I found interesting was in the book it made it seem like this really happened and kind of made it seem like a true story but then seems fiction at the same time.
Yeah, granted the front of your book says it's a novel but since I read it on kindle I didn't even see the cover lol.
@@WhytheBookWins yeah so I read this when I was in HS (around 2012 2013) before the movie came out and the OG printing didn't say it was novel and a lot of places (including my school library) were putting it in teh nonfiction and it wasn't till the movie came out (and apparently at that point the author came out and said yes its a work of fiction when OG he wanted it to be up to the reader but because of the confusion this caused with stores and libraries about do we put it in nonfiction as a dramatic autobiography or do we put it as fiction im assuming his publisher etc pressured him to come out and clear it up) that it was firmly put in the fiction category.
New subscriber! Love your channel.
Thanks for subscribing 😁 I'm glad you like my channel 😊
New subscriber here! Love your content it is very interesting hearing different perspectives. Have you ever done a Harry Potter comparison?
Thanks! And surprisingly I have not! I have read all of the books and love them, but there is already so much Harry Potter content out there so I just haven't bothered doing my own.
@@WhytheBookWins I would love to hear your analysis maybe you can just do one video for the whole series. If not I understand.
@ta1920 yeah that's a good idea!
I read the book but skipped the movie. A) I TOTALLY missed the symbolism, and your explanation of that brings a little more coherence to the story. B) Like a number of readers, I bought into the earnest assurances that this was a true story, at least until the meerkats. C) As a polemic proving God, ehhh. There's a bin for that that already has C.S. Lewis. D) I actually liked the exposition on zoo ethics.
Thanks for sharing! And yeah when it comes to Christian fiction it's hard to compete with Narnia lol