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Post by Dominique on Apr 29, 2007 5:51:08 GMT -5
This is one of the reasons I liked the ending, we don't know what to think! I like that it's open to interpretation rather than neatly bundled up for us
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Isa
Administrator
Posts: 6,995
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Post by Isa on Apr 29, 2007 6:09:23 GMT -5
I know, it is one of the greatest endings I've ever read - as soon as Pi told the second version of the story, I felt like reading the book all over again! I also liked how it was laced up in humour thanks to the characters of Okamoto and Chiba My personal feeling is that the true story is the one without the animals, but that Pi came up with a fable to cope with the horrors of his journey, and also to distance himself from his own behaviour by creating the character of Richard Parker. I also see the sudden departure of Richard Parker as soon as they land on the beach as Pi snapping back to reality. It seems to me like Pi had plenty of time alone on the boat to create such a great story of survival, but I can't imagine him coming up with the horrible story of humans killing and eating each other if it hadn't truly happened. But as he knows, the story with animals is much nicer and more entertaining - I can't imagine making a novel out of the other story. But as you guys said, we'll never know for sure - what an excellent novel!
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Lu
Administrator
Posts: 5,469
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Post by Lu on Apr 29, 2007 7:07:54 GMT -5
I think that the true story is the one without animals as well, but I prefer thinking the opposite; I was glad to read that Mr.Okamoto, in his report, wrote that Mr. Patel has survived in company of a Bengal Tiger, if I were him I'd do the same. I love open ending books! At first I'm usually a bit disappointed but, after some moments of reflection, I love the fact that I can think and imagine what I want...I use to do the same with almost every book I finish but with an open ending ones there's much to think about.
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Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
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Post by Michelle on May 1, 2007 9:50:36 GMT -5
I still think that the one with the animals is true. But maybe that is jsut because I'm attached to it and the other story is too horrible.
I enjoyed the book very much. The ending was good - it took me a second to realize that I had to choose b/w the two stories.
I don't understand why he left the island so suddenly. Couldn't he have kept on living there and sleeping in the trees. The meerkats do it. I think I would have had to think longer about leaving the shelter of the island and getting back in the lifeboat with a tiger. Do we think that the island part of the story really happened? I don't know what to believe anymore...
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zeldafitzgerald
Collection of short stories bought by Random House
ancora imparo
Posts: 1,948
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Post by zeldafitzgerald on Jun 5, 2007 20:50:03 GMT -5
I didn't know where else to post this, so I'm posting this in here for all those who loved Life of Pi. I just found out there's going to be a special illustrated edition of the book coming out in the fall: www.amazon.com/gp/product/0151013837/ref=cm_plog_item_link/105-6746196-6895604I'll have to look at this when it comes out, but in general I love illustrated editions of my favorite books, so I'll probably need to upgrade my copy.
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Lu
Administrator
Posts: 5,469
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Post by Lu on Jun 6, 2007 3:08:51 GMT -5
Thanks for posting the link, zelda!
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