Jackie M. (jackiemo) - reviewed on 2/7/2012 + 27 more book reviews

I recommend that you do not read too many reviews on this book. There are details that are better left unsaid until the time for them to be revealed comes along as you read.

Without spoiling anything, this is the story of a 16 year old who is moving from India, where his family owns a zoo, to Canada. They sell off the animals and are traveling with some of them via a freighter to Canada. The first third of the book is Pi's life in India. The rest is a remarkable survival story. Pi ends up on a lifeboat with a few animals, one of them is a 450 pound tiger. This is not for the squeamish. A tiger is a carnivore and the boat is only so big.

What will a gentle vegetarian do to stay alive as the days at sea in a life boat turn into weeks? Faith, humanity, the will to survive and at what cost are all explored. I read the hardcover edition with illustrations by Tomislav Torjanac. The beautifully painted pictures only enhance the powerful story. I highly recommend this book. It will stay with you for a long time.

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