Tina's Review: Life of Pi

by Yann Martel

I loved this book. It's a wonderful story of survival in adversity where the irony is that the very thing that seemed the biggest threat to his life actually saved his life.

When his family decides to move from India to Canada and their ship sinks, Pi Patel is the lone human survivor, making it to the lifeboat with a few animals from his father's zoo, which were being shipped to other zoos in America. Following survival of the fittest, only one animal remains and Pi has to learn ways to maintain the alpha position in order to keep from becoming prey. This prevents him from breaking down mentally to the point of losing hope, which would certainly lead to a steep decline towards eventual death.

Faith is an underlying theme in the book. Though Pi has a strong belief in God, he hasn't settled on any one faith. He follows the teachings of Gandhi who claims "All religions are true" and when pressured to choose one, states his only desire is to love God so why should he follow only one faith? Perhaps this helped him hold on to the belief that he would eventually be saved.

The author's note at the beginning of the book suggests that this is a story to make one believe in God. I'm not sure of that but it certainly could motivate one to study various faiths and have a more open mind perhaps becoming less judgemental of others.

I have to admit I initially believed this was based on a true story (just call me naive) but I have since learned that it is indeed fiction loosely based on a book by Moacyr Scliar.(Essay: How I wrote The Life of Pi by Yann Martel). Though it's somewhat disappointing, it doesn't change how the story moved me.

Tina's Review: One More Year

written by Sana Krasikov

This is a book of short stories. I found it most incredible how well I, as the reader, was able to get to know and understand the characters in each of them in such a short length of time. The writer masterfully reveals characteristics in the fewest possible words. I found the stories held my attention quite well, making me want to keep reading.

Unfortunately, they didn't make me feel ... happy, but rather depressed. This was somewhat disappointing. I get the impression from the sadness in these stories that the writer, too, has had a sad and painful life or seen pain in other people's lives. I'm not saying I don't ever like reading sad stories. In fact, after a bad day, reading about something sad can help me feel I'm not the only one; someone else out there understands. But when books and movies are an escape from reality, especially necessary when life and reality become difficult or painful, I look for something uplifting. This book would not provide that. Nor are the stories like anything I could relate to. Each involves an immigrant struggling or having struggled to succeed.

Having said that, these stories reveal a very real truth about the difficulty immigrants face. They make the decision to leave their home country, generally a 3rd world nation, often leaving loved ones behind, in hopes of finding success and a better future. It is only in learning of the many people experiencing these hardships that we become more sympathetic to others and learn to appreciate how fortunate we are to have been born, raised and lived in a country so many dream to immigrate to. It is their hopes and dreams that drive them to continue despite all the trials and odds against their success.

Tina's Review: The White Mary

written by Kira Salak

I found this a very interesting read. I was fascinated by the life-threatening experiences, disturbed by the descriptions of the suffering around the world and deeply moved by the main character's discovery of the meaning of happiness and her mentor's pessimistic interpretation of life.

The story jumps around in time a bit which has both positives and negatives. I felt at times it wasn't a smooth transition so it broke up my train of thought somewhat. However, it also worked to give a background to Marika's life which helps to explain her emotional and psychological state.

Marika's history makes it difficult for her to become vulnerable to emotions and truly feel happy. However, she finally lets go of all the pain she's seen and experienced allowing her to realize what she wants. She gains a new perspective; as the sentiment goes "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone".

It is also very thought provoking. While I believe it is true what is said about American society being more interested in the love lives of celebrities than in the genocide in other countries, the theory that we have no control over anything that happens would actually suggest that this is okay. So the question is: Should we do more about the world's atrocities or accept that we have no control? If we don't have control but don't accept it, wanting to "do the right thing", we may fall into the same rut as the Marika, unable to enjoy life knowing about the suffering of others. The solution may be simplified with the serenity prayer, which provides guidance to make important decisions in life:

"God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference"

Brett: Tina and I Received "Stealing Athena" Today

Well I know now to space out the ARC requests as I cannot keep up on the reading. Today we received "Stealing Athena" By Karen Essex. From the description, I think this one may appeal more to Tina, but I vow not to request a book and not read it. I think that would be disrespectful to the Author, and the publishing company. Who knows, I may learn something or be surprised. And isn't that what reading is all about?

Brett: The Flood Continues

I assumed that it would be hard to get Galley or ARC copies mailed to me. Especially since I had just begun this blog and have no traffic yet. And since I received only one email reply that a book was forthcoming, I continued to make requests.
Last night The Power Makers: Steam, Electricity, and the Men Who Invented Modern America by Maury Klein; a large intimidating book was in the mailbox.
Now back to the Andrew Davidson and his Gargoyle . . .

Brett: Andrew Davidson's "The Gargoyle"

I had the privilege today of receiving a very "special" ARC copy of "The Gargoyle". Actualy the way I aquired it really means a lot to me. I won't say any more other than it will obviously go to the top of the list of the books that I am reading. I plan to write more about Andrew Davidson himself at a later date. Maybe after the book is actually released.

Brett's ARC Flood

I didn't think that I would get the number of Advance Reading Copies (ARC) that are flooding in.
In the past few days the mailman brought "I, robot" by Howard S. Smith, "The White Mary" by Kira Salak, and "The Good Thief" by Hannah Tinti. I had better get reading so I can post the reviews. I will read "The White Mary" while Tina reads "The Good Thief" and then we will trade.

Oh, and I just got an email saying that we will be receiving Karen Essex’s "Stealing Athena".

Brett

Brett's Review: Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001)

It is always said that there is two sides to every story, however in this case there may be at least 7. That is how many members of the Eagles there have been who I am sure would have something to say.Often the test of truthfulness in what is reported about others in a book is the candor with which the author reports his own failings and faults. If this is the benchmark that "Heaven and Hell" is to be held to, then I venture to say this book just might be an accurate one.

Don Felder, a member of the Eagles Country Rock band from 1974 - 2001, gives an interesting and lively account of one of America's most successful bands in spite of or due to the dictatorship and bullying of "The Gods" Don Henley and Glen Frey.More of a dysfunctional family than a band at times, the Eagles managed the highest selling record in North American history, while not even speaking to one another form time to time.This was an interesting glimpse inside the self proclaimed "Eagles Pressure Cooker".

Oh and since I mentioned candor, I am forced to admit that I am a huge fan of the Eagles and that may make this book more interesting to me than the causal reader. (***1/2 )