Life of Pi
4 journalers for this copy...
This was lent to my mother from her co-worker, Marybeth. I began reading it while I was home in the US for the holidays and brought it back to Japan to finish. It's about zookeeping, religious faith, survival at sea, and storytelling, and it's very very good.
Journal Entry 2 by sayit3timesfast at International Center,4-8 Hanabata-cho,096.359.2121 in Kumamoto / 熊本市, Kumamoto-ken Japan on Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Released 19 yrs ago (1/26/2005 UTC) at International Center,4-8 Hanabata-cho,096.359.2121 in Kumamoto / 熊本市, Kumamoto-ken Japan
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
There are lots of English books there, but look for one with a picture of a running book on the spine. It should be on a shelf unless they give it away during the book exchange that happens every 3rd Friday.
There are lots of English books there, but look for one with a picture of a running book on the spine. It should be on a shelf unless they give it away during the book exchange that happens every 3rd Friday.
I found this book at the Internatioal Center in Kumamoto by chance.
I became a member of book-crossing in NZ, and never thought I can
find a book-crossing book in Japan, especially in Kumamoto.
I was looking for English books at the International Center, and happened to pick up this book. The running on the spine of the book
had been removed, so I didn't realise this was one of the book-crossing books. Later, a staff member there pointed it out to me. I was so thrilled. I've just started reading this book a couple of days ago and read the first 100 pages so far. I should say that this could be listed on my best 10 books. I wonder how many good book-crossing books are hidden in the shelf at the International Center.
I became a member of book-crossing in NZ, and never thought I can
find a book-crossing book in Japan, especially in Kumamoto.
I was looking for English books at the International Center, and happened to pick up this book. The running on the spine of the book
had been removed, so I didn't realise this was one of the book-crossing books. Later, a staff member there pointed it out to me. I was so thrilled. I've just started reading this book a couple of days ago and read the first 100 pages so far. I should say that this could be listed on my best 10 books. I wonder how many good book-crossing books are hidden in the shelf at the International Center.
I've received this book last week, but was absent. In the meanwhile I started reading it. Very interesting, relaxing, originally,...I'm really enjoying!
Thank you Wakuwaku!!!
"... When you've suffered a great deal in life, each additional pain is both unbearable and trifling..."
"... The reason death sticks so closely to life isn't biological necessity-it's envy. Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous, possessive love that grabs at what can. But life leaps over oblivion lightly, losing only a thing or two of no importance, and gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud..."
"... Doubt is useful for a while. We must all pass through the garden of Gethsemane. If Christ played with doubt, so must we. If Christ spent an anguished night in prayer, if He burst out from the Cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" then surely we are also permitted doubt. But we must move on. To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is askin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation."
"... that Hindus, in their capacity for love, are indeed hairless Christians, just as Muslims, in the way they see Good in everything, are bearded Hindus, and Christians , in their devotion to God, are hat-wearing Muslims."
"... but be excessively reasonable and you risk throwing out the universe with the bathwater."
Update: 30.05.2005
Finished. Well, this book is quite lovely and easy to read. The plot is placed in very unusual surrounding and therefore the story must be equally unusual, and it is. There are some confusing details (for example the island) but at the end all gets on its place.
Now, interesting thing is that I could identify myself with Pi. Namely I'm not zoologist like Pi but veterinarian (which are of course very close sciences) and like Pi very interested in other religions. I'm a Christian who is reading beside The Holly Bible, Kor'an, Ramayana and Mahabharata, Talmud but I'm not practicing other religions as distinguished from Pi.
"... all religions are true. I just want to love God..." beautifully indeed.
As a medical worker and man of science I do believe in Medicine but I do not believe in every doctor (you'll know why I'm writing this after reading book).
I cannot say how this book is among absolutely best I've ever read, but it was quite pleasant experience and I think I will get back to it someday in future. In the meanwhile Pi will continue its journey. Wakuwaku (to whom I'm enormously grateful) expressed her hope how this book will go around the world and it will as soon I get address of the first BCer on the list of Booker-Prize-Winners-Ring.
Now, something which doesn't have much relation with the book: Reading Group Guide. This book is first one I've read which has such nonsense. Those questions which suppose to "help" you with understanding this book and to "serve as a pleasant companion" during the reading (!?!?!?) are written by someone who obviously need someone's help to chew his gum! This "guide" is true offend to any reader with brain and extremely irritating! On the other hand maybe I've missed whole point of it (which I doubt) so I'll be very grateful if someone who disagrees with me gives me an explanation.
My advice: SKIP THE GUIDE AND ENJOY THE RIDE!
From now on this book is part of tantan Booker-Prize Winners Ring
This is Yann Martel!
Thank you Wakuwaku!!!
"... When you've suffered a great deal in life, each additional pain is both unbearable and trifling..."
"... The reason death sticks so closely to life isn't biological necessity-it's envy. Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous, possessive love that grabs at what can. But life leaps over oblivion lightly, losing only a thing or two of no importance, and gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud..."
"... Doubt is useful for a while. We must all pass through the garden of Gethsemane. If Christ played with doubt, so must we. If Christ spent an anguished night in prayer, if He burst out from the Cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" then surely we are also permitted doubt. But we must move on. To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is askin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation."
"... that Hindus, in their capacity for love, are indeed hairless Christians, just as Muslims, in the way they see Good in everything, are bearded Hindus, and Christians , in their devotion to God, are hat-wearing Muslims."
"... but be excessively reasonable and you risk throwing out the universe with the bathwater."
Update: 30.05.2005
Finished. Well, this book is quite lovely and easy to read. The plot is placed in very unusual surrounding and therefore the story must be equally unusual, and it is. There are some confusing details (for example the island) but at the end all gets on its place.
Now, interesting thing is that I could identify myself with Pi. Namely I'm not zoologist like Pi but veterinarian (which are of course very close sciences) and like Pi very interested in other religions. I'm a Christian who is reading beside The Holly Bible, Kor'an, Ramayana and Mahabharata, Talmud but I'm not practicing other religions as distinguished from Pi.
"... all religions are true. I just want to love God..." beautifully indeed.
As a medical worker and man of science I do believe in Medicine but I do not believe in every doctor (you'll know why I'm writing this after reading book).
I cannot say how this book is among absolutely best I've ever read, but it was quite pleasant experience and I think I will get back to it someday in future. In the meanwhile Pi will continue its journey. Wakuwaku (to whom I'm enormously grateful) expressed her hope how this book will go around the world and it will as soon I get address of the first BCer on the list of Booker-Prize-Winners-Ring.
Now, something which doesn't have much relation with the book: Reading Group Guide. This book is first one I've read which has such nonsense. Those questions which suppose to "help" you with understanding this book and to "serve as a pleasant companion" during the reading (!?!?!?) are written by someone who obviously need someone's help to chew his gum! This "guide" is true offend to any reader with brain and extremely irritating! On the other hand maybe I've missed whole point of it (which I doubt) so I'll be very grateful if someone who disagrees with me gives me an explanation.
My advice: SKIP THE GUIDE AND ENJOY THE RIDE!
From now on this book is part of tantan Booker-Prize Winners Ring
This is Yann Martel!
Released 18 yrs ago (6/3/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Received with delay because of so many problems we had in this town with our chaotic local post office. Later I was on holidays and I had no time to make the entry.I am so sorry, Milan. Meanwhile, the book is safe and really ok.
I have just come back from holidays and I will try not to take long time in reading the book.
Many thanks and lots of kisses!
