Quick take
A dreamlike read (that can be nightmarish at times), with an ending that truly makes you think about the big picture.
Good to know
Emotional
Slow build
Literary
Critically acclaimed
Synopsis
The son of a zookeeper, Pi Patel has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior and a fervent love of stories. When Pi is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, along with their zoo animals bound for new homes.
The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Soon the tiger has dispatched all but Pi, whose fear, knowledge, and cunning allow him to coexist with Richard Parker for 227 days while lost at sea.
Member ratings (2,766)
Gabrielle H.
Adams, MA
A horrific recount of a young boy’s traumatic and wondrous journey on the open Pacific ocean, lost at sea with a tiger. It is a humbling journey of survival, and his raw connection to nature and god.
Sara L.
Murfreesboro, TN
brilliant, heartwarming all-time favourite combines action adventure with major religions, philosophy! Pi, Indian boy struggles with identity, survival and tiger he named Richard Parker. Booker prize
Traci R.
Lake worth, FL
Loved this book. Pi goes through so much I really felt for him. I love how descriptive this book is I can clearly see things like the living island. The ending really gets you thinking and I love tha!
Christina C.
Farmington Hills, MI
Wow! A book about how we choose what to believe & how we come to grips with a reality that is often more horrible than we can stand. Pi shows imagination & invention for self-preservation. Great book!
olivia p.
Lima, NY
I was expecting this book to be like the movie, but it was SO! MUCH! BETTER! I cannot recommend this book enough! it made me laugh, and it made me cry! overall, just beautiful writing and visuals!