This is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. I really enjoyed it’s down-to-earth, yet unusual descriptions and the little side-trips it takes to explain the behaviour of the animals, sea and sky. In the beginning particularly, it has a meandering pace, but these little tidbits help maintain interest. Throughout the entire story it brings home the wonder and the horror of what’s going on.

SPOILER ALERT
I found his meeting with the other boat to be particularly surreal. Pi’s final story I found particularly horrific. It really stuck with me and made me reconsider the entire novel. And I liked that. I thought it was interesting the way my mind seized on this as being the most plausible explanation for the events, rather like the Japanese businessmen. I started comparing the two stories and thought the callous way he treated the meercats (which at the time didn’t seem so callous) was good evidence that the second story was the truer one. I suddenly became wary of Pi, as if he really was the tiger. I thought it asked some interesting questions about morals vs survival, particularly since I am also a vegetarian. It’s amazing what the mind will do to protect itself.

I stayed up until midnight to finish this page turner. One of the best books I’ve read all year.