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princesscai08's review against another edition
4.0
I was quite confused by the ending. Not sure which story is the real one.
isabellaaaareadsss's review against another edition
read half, no more shall be read out of self respect
marieeveduchesne's review against another edition
5.0
There is something about a book that connects to you. In some ways, the connection is in the story: how it is written and such. For some, it may be the portrail of the characters and the author's way of writing.
For me, this book was because of the story. It did took me weeks to get into it, but I read on, eventually. It tells the story of a young castaway with animals on the same boat, going back to the present. It may or may not be a good starter but trust me, it will. As the story unravels and comes to an end, Martel shows his ability to aid a reflexion about life, the what-if's and religion. Yes, this book has a religious tint to it and it is soemthing you should not forget when you read the novel.
Some may say that the fact that it contains facts about zoology and theology might distract you and it might have done it for me. As somebody might have said before me: it's important but not crucial to our well-being.
What makes Martel's story even better is that he, as a writer, has an hability to write metaphors that connect with the story and that make it seem like it is a fable or a story to read to your children at night (Though that wouldn't be a good option...) He has also an ability to write beautiful words like:
"It was my luck to have a few good teachers in my youth, men and women who came into my dark head and lit a match."
"Doubt is useful for a while...But we must move on. To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation."
With this long review, I will say this: you might have two sorts of relationship with the book. Either you like it or you don't. I believe I am in the first category, of the ones who loved it and that they have make me think a lot more than I thought I would.
For me, this book was because of the story. It did took me weeks to get into it, but I read on, eventually. It tells the story of a young castaway with animals on the same boat, going back to the present. It may or may not be a good starter but trust me, it will. As the story unravels and comes to an end, Martel shows his ability to aid a reflexion about life, the what-if's and religion. Yes, this book has a religious tint to it and it is soemthing you should not forget when you read the novel.
Some may say that the fact that it contains facts about zoology and theology might distract you and it might have done it for me. As somebody might have said before me: it's important but not crucial to our well-being.
What makes Martel's story even better is that he, as a writer, has an hability to write metaphors that connect with the story and that make it seem like it is a fable or a story to read to your children at night (Though that wouldn't be a good option...) He has also an ability to write beautiful words like:
"It was my luck to have a few good teachers in my youth, men and women who came into my dark head and lit a match."
"Doubt is useful for a while...But we must move on. To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation."
With this long review, I will say this: you might have two sorts of relationship with the book. Either you like it or you don't. I believe I am in the first category, of the ones who loved it and that they have make me think a lot more than I thought I would.
pantsuitparty's review against another edition
3.0
Tedious at times, but not unreasonably. I think tedium was what Martel was trying to get at with the heavy focus on a deconstruction of being castaway. The ending of this book allows the tedium to pay off, letting it shine as unique parable for the foundation on which faith based mythologies are founded.
npwallace16's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was very intriguing and the story flowed along nicely despite the fact that it is about a boy who spends 277 days on a lifeboat with a tiger.
If you watched the movie, you were probably severely disappointed as I was. The movie does not do this book justice. So, give this book a try before you completely dismiss it based on the mediocre movie that was made for such a fantastic book.
Overall, I liked it immensely.
If you watched the movie, you were probably severely disappointed as I was. The movie does not do this book justice. So, give this book a try before you completely dismiss it based on the mediocre movie that was made for such a fantastic book.
Overall, I liked it immensely.
emilio_e's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.75
jennbliven's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book and have read it more than once. Incredibly unique.
rac26's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the book. Disappointed to read about the plagiarism dispute.
agnesbitz's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the ending but I found the island part to be a bit confusing.