Framed's 2006 Book Reviews

A list of reviews I've done during 2006. Books are rated from 1 to 5, with 5 being a stellar read. Book reviews with a 5 rating are bolded.

Monday, January 01, 2007

Life of Pi by Yann Martel December 20

---This book was recommended by my daughter, Cassie. In fact, she has reviewed several interesting books on her blog, Scads of Books, (see link at the side) that I need to read. I haven't been disappointed yet. "Life of Pi' is an excellent story with so many different components. It begins with Pi's life in India as a zookeeper's son, explains hilariously how he comes up with his abbreviated name, and tells great stories about the animals in the zoo. He is very pro-zoo. The book is also very religious; not for any one particular religion but about the existence of God. In fact in the author's notes, he claims this story will make you believe in God. After losing his family in a shipwreck, Pi must learn to survive on the open seas for 277 days with only his wits and a bengal tiger. I found the story to be so compelling. And Martel writes beautifully. I have 13 book darts marking quotes that I really liked. (I think that's a record.) Here are some of my favorites:
"If we, citizens, do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams." Author's Notes
"If you take two steps towards God, God runs to you."
"These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside. They should direct their anger at themselves. For evil in the open is but evil from within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart."
"Faith in God is an opening up, a letting go, a deep trust, a free act of love--but sometimes it was so hard to love. . . .Despair was a heavy blackness that let no light in or out. It was a hell beyond expression. I thank God it always passed. . . The blackness would stir and eventually go away, and God would remain, a shining point of light in my heart. I would go on loving."
" 'Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe, ask any scientist. God is hard to believe, ask any believer. What is your problem with hard to believe?'
'We're just being reasonable.'
'So am I. I applied my reason at every moment. Reason is excellent for getting food, clothing and shelter. Reason is the very best tool kit. Nothing beats reason for keeping tigers away. But be excessively reasonable and you risk throwing out the universe with the bathwater.' "
"To me, religion is about our dignity, not our depravity."
-- I am adding my recommendation for all to read this wonderful book. It's a fantastic story about courage, love, resourcefulness, strength and weakness.
Rating: 5
7 Comments:
Orange Blossom Goddess (aka Heather) said...
This has been on my TBR Mountain for quite awhile...seems like it should make a jump to the top of the list sometime soon!Heatherwww.thelibraryladder.blogspot.com
booklogged said...
Did we read the same book? When I put it on my list of books I hated, my husband reminded me of some really terrific passages. Now you've added several more. I probably didn't catch all, or any, of the symbolism, but I don't think I'll bother rereading it to see. I'm glad you liked it.
Stacey said...
Great pick - I really loved this book. I felt something in me change, everso slightly, while reading it. Big thumbs up.
Joy said...
After reading this book, I wished I had appreciated it more while I was actually reading it because afterwards, I found it to have the greatest lasting effect on me than any other fiction book I read. Oddly enough, I only rated it a 4/5 at the time, but the impact of how it made me think for months and months earns it a 5 in my memory!I agree Framed, definitely a fantastic story!
ML said...
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It kept me facinated and not wanting to put it down.
Framed said...
Thanks for all your comments. I'm glad so many of you also liked the book. Booklogged, you are usually right on with your books, but I never forget that you liked "Poisonwood Bible." Actually, I forgot that you didn't like this one.
Les said...
I loved this book! Gave it a 9/10 rating. Yann Martel is an excellent story-teller. Since this was in my Top Ten for 2003, I'll have to post my review. Lots of great passages that I marked, too!

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