Kimber Silver's Reviews > Life of Pi

Life of Pi by Yann Martel
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really liked it
bookshelves: coming-of-age, delicious-writing, epic-reads, family-drama, inspiring, nature, travel, magical-realism

"It's important in life to conclude things properly. Only then can you let go. Otherwise, you are left with words you should have said but never did, and your heart is heavy with remorse."
― Yann Martel, Life of Pi

I have struggled to write this review. Not because I didn’t love Life of Pi, because I absolutely did, but because it is difficult to put into words where this incredible tale has taken me.

Throughout the reading, I have found myself utterly horrified and fascinated in equal measure. I can honestly say I’ve never pondered life, religion, survival - and how far a human can be pushed - as deeply as I have since I began my journey with Piscine Molitor Patel. I questioned faith and contemplated how far it could carry someone who's hanging on by a thread. I asked myself if I could have survived even half of what Pi had endured? Probably not, but who knows how strong the will to live is until it's put to the test? This is undoubtedly a book that gave me pause for thought.

Nature is as volatile as it is beautiful and, as an animal lover, I must warn those who might be disturbed by scenes of savagery (i.e. the natural order of life and death as it exists in the animal kingdom).
This story is dazzling, funny, gruesome, allegorical and altogether unforgettable.
Life of Pi is a powerful read.
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Reading Progress

November 14, 2021 – Started Reading
November 26, 2021 – Shelved
November 26, 2021 – Shelved as: coming-of-age
November 26, 2021 – Shelved as: delicious-writing
November 26, 2021 – Shelved as: epic-reads
November 26, 2021 – Shelved as: family-drama
November 26, 2021 – Shelved as: inspiring
November 26, 2021 – Shelved as: nature
November 26, 2021 – Shelved as: travel
November 26, 2021 – Finished Reading
November 29, 2021 – Shelved as: magical-realism

Comments Showing 1-50 of 85 (85 new)


message 1: by Ceecee (new)

Ceecee Fabulous review Kimber ❤️


Kevin Ansbro So pleased you enjoyed this modern-day fable, Kimber. I read it shortly after it had won The Booker Prize and its improbable premise sucked me right in.
The book cover is one of my favourites and the unexpected twist is exquisite!
A wonderful review!


Kimber Silver Ceecee wrote: "Fabulous review Kimber ❤️"

Thank you, Ceecee! :-)


Kimber Silver Kevin wrote: "So pleased you enjoyed this modern-day fable, Kimber. I read it shortly after it had won The Booker Prize, and its improbable premise sucked me right in.
The book cover is one of my favourites and ..."


I did enjoy the deep thoughts this story inspired as I read. I am very late to the book party but better late than never. ;-)
Thank you kindly, Kevin!


message 5: by Beata (new)

Beata Fine review, Kimber :))


Maureen It’s always difficult to write a review for something that has great impact Kimber, but that’s a terrific review!


Cheri I read this many years ago, but still recall some of the scenes in this one, Kimber. Love your review!


Kimber Silver Beata wrote: "Fine review, Kimber :))"

Thank you, Beata! :-)


Kimber Silver Maureen wrote: "It’s always difficult to write a review for something that has great impact Kimber, but that’s a terrific review!"

Very kind of you, Maureen! Thank you! :-)


Kimber Silver Cheri wrote: "I read this many years ago, but still recall some of the scenes in this one, Kimber. Love your review!"

Thanks so much, Cheri! I can't believe it took me so long to read this one. ;-)


message 11: by Ron (new) - rated it 5 stars

Ron Wonderfully said, Kimber. I too remember pondering Patel's journey and how it made me feel for some time after finishing, especially the ending.


Candi Kimber, I recall being speechless when I finished this book several years ago! I can totally relate to your reaction to it. However, you've expressed perfectly the impact this had on you with your fine review!! :)


message 13: by Kimber (last edited Nov 26, 2021 05:46PM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kimber Silver Ron wrote: "Wonderfully said, Kimber. I too remember pondering Patel's journey and how it made me feel for some time after finishing, especially the ending."

Thank you, Ron! It is a story that left me pondering my own life but in a good way. :-)


Kimber Silver Candi wrote: "Kimber, I recall being speechless when I finished this book several years ago! I can totally relate to your reaction to it. However, you've expressed perfectly the impact this had on you with your ..."

Very kind of you, Candi! Because the book and movie have been out for a very long time, I had an idea what it was about, but I was not prepared for how impactful the journey would be. I'm glad you loved it too. :-)


message 15: by Melissa (new) - added it

Melissa ~ Bantering Books Wonderful review, Kimber! I love how "Life of Pi" impacted you so powerfully. It's been on my To Read shelf for ages -- I gotta get to it. :)


message 16: by Terrie (new)

Terrie  Robinson Wonderful review, Kimber! I love reading about how this book impacted you. That’s the sign of a wonderful reading experience💖


Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader Lovely review, Kimber, and good to know about the animals. I still need to read this one.


Kimber Silver Melissa wrote: "Wonderful review, Kimber! I love how "Life of Pi" impacted you so powerfully. It's been on my To Read shelf for ages -- I gotta get to it. :)"

Thank you, Melissa! I am glad I finally got around to reading this incredible story. :-)


Kimber Silver Terrie wrote: "Wonderful review, Kimber! I love reading about how this book impacted you. That’s the sign of a wonderful reading experience💖"

Thank you very much, Terrie! I'm still thinking of this book days after. It is something special. :-)


Kimber Silver Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "Lovely review, Kimber, and good to know about the animals. I still need to read this one."

Thank you, Jennifer! I look forward to your thoughts on this book when you get to it! :-)


message 21: by C. (Comment or e-mail, please never send msg). (last edited Nov 27, 2021 04:36PM) (new)

C.  (Comment or e-mail, please never send msg). I can imagine being touched by aspects of this story. I had the blu-ray. However, I was disgusted with the Dad sacrificing a little goat to prove that tigers are dangerous. I want to sell my blu-ray to oust that memory from our home. Generally, it was an epic and even mysterious journey. The floating island that became toxic at night was enormously creative.


Kimber Silver C. (friends, please call me by name) wrote: "I am glad you were touched by aspects of this story and know why you would be. I had the blu-ray but any animal death hurts and I can't like a story containing it. Chase animals in the wild with ro..."

I do understand your aversion to the violent parts of this story. It certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea. :-)


Susan Sage Great review, Kimber! It's been few years since I read it, but your review brought much of it back to me. Sometimes, I think, the truly ponderous works are the most difficult to review. I so admire your ability to express your feelings about books!!


message 24: by Kimber (last edited Nov 27, 2021 04:46PM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kimber Silver Susan wrote: "Great review, Kimber! It's been few years since I read it, but your review brought much of it back to me. Sometimes, I think, the truly ponderous works are the most difficult to review. I so admire..."

You are very kind, Susan! Thank you! I wish I had read this one sooner, but often books, like friends, come into our lives when they are meant to. :-)
I'm glad you loved this one too.


message 25: by Barbara (new)

Barbara You describe that struggle so well, Kimber. Great books really do give us a jolt. Wonderful review.


Kimber Silver Barbara wrote: "You describe that struggle so well, Kimber. Great books really do give us a jolt. Wonderful review."

Thank you very much, Barbara! :-)


message 27: by David (new)

David Awesome review Kimber! I'll have to add to my to reads list for sure!


Meredith (Trying to catch up!) Fabulous review, Kimber! You captured the essence of this book perfectly!


message 29: by JanB (new) - rated it 2 stars

JanB I read this many years ago and still remember it well, although I'm not really a fan of allegorical novels. Great review!


Kimber Silver David wrote: "Awesome review Kimber! I'll have to add to my to reads list for sure!"

Thank you so much, David! I hope you like it as much as I did! :-)


Kimber Silver Meredith wrote: "Fabulous review, Kimber! You captured the essence of this book perfectly!"

Thank you very much, Meredith! :-)


Kimber Silver JanB wrote: "I read this many years ago and still remember it well, although I'm not really a fan of allegorical novels. Great review!"

I can see how this wouldn't be the book for everyone. Thank you so much, Jan! :-)


Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus] An intriguing review, Kimber! Probably not for an old bloke like me😊.


message 34: by Jaidee (new)

Jaidee I am both pleased and a bit envious of your experience with this novel Kimber.

I read this when it came out and it so did not work for me.

Keep on pondering my friend !


Kimber Silver Terence M (often away with the pixies) wrote: "An intriguing review, Kimber! Probably not for an old bloke like me😊."

You are a funny guy, Terence! Thank you! It's always great to hear from you. :-)


Kimber Silver Jaidee wrote: "I am both pleased and a bit envious of your experience with this novel Kimber.

I read this when it came out and it so did not work for me.

Keep on pondering my friend !"


The reviews are all over the place for this one. I'm sorry to read that it wasn't your cup of tea.
Thank you, Jaidee! I shall ponder on, kind sir! ;-)


Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus] Kimber wrote: "Terence M (often away with the pixies) wrote: "An intriguing review, Kimber! Probably not for an old bloke like me😊."

You are a funny guy, Terence! Thank you! It's always great to hear from you. :-)"


😊😊😘


Debra Terrific review, Kimber!


Kimber Silver Debra wrote: "Terrific review, Kimber!"

Thank you, Debra! :-)


©hrissie ❁ [1st week on campus-somewhat run-down] Fantastic review, Kimber! You remind me of one of my absolutely favourite reads.


Kimber Silver ©hrissie ❁ Wor(l)ds*Of*Wonders wrote: "Fantastic review, Kimber! You remind me of one of my absolutely favourite reads."

Thank you very much, Chrissie! This is an incredible read. I'm glad you loved it too. :-)


Melissa (Cruising to Alaska-hiatus) Excellent review, I tried to read this book a couple of times when it first came out and couldn't stick with it. Allegory just doesn't click with me much of the time.


Kimber Silver Melissa (LifeFullyBooked) wrote: "Excellent review, I tried to read this book a couple of times when it first came out and couldn't stick with it. Allegory just doesn't click with me much of the time."

Thank you very much, Melissa! :-)
I can understand. It certainly is a different type of book.


Peter Fantastic review, Kimber. I read this some time ago and I still struggle to write the review. It does carry a lot of deep meaning.


message 45: by Nilanjana (new)

Nilanjana Haldar Terrific review! I am wondering myself, Kimber, if I would have been able to endure such degree of loss !!

Beautiful!


Kimber Silver Peter wrote: "Fantastic review, Kimber. I read this some time ago and I still struggle to write the review. It does carry a lot of deep meaning."

Thank you so much, Peter! I'm glad I wasn't the only one who struggled. It is a thought-provoking read. :-)


message 47: by Kimber (last edited Dec 03, 2021 04:45PM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Kimber Silver Nilanjana wrote: "Terrific review! I am wondering myself, Kimber, if I would have been able to endure such degree of loss !!

Beautiful!"


Thank you kindly, Nilanjana! :-) Pi had an incredible will to live indeed.


Kimber Silver Swaroop wrote: "Kimber,
Wonderful review of a good book - so well summarised - thank you for sharing your thoughts! 🌸🍀"


How very nice of you, Swaroop! Thank you! :-)


message 49: by Nilanjana (new)

Nilanjana Haldar I agree with you!


message 50: by Julie (new)

Julie Marvelous review, Kimber!! 💖


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