I thought they did a really good job with the movie. Obviously they couldn't put everything in there, so I think they made the best decisions on what to include and what to leave out. After having read the book and knowing all of the details, I felt like the movie packed in as much information as it could and it seemed like it was over before I knew it!
Another thing I appreciated about the movie is that it was only rated PG. It could have easily been a higher rating had they chosen to include all the gory details from the book. But they didn't, and I'm glad. They still got the message across without having to be graphic.
Moving on to the actual book, I definitely did not see the end coming. Perhaps I should have expected a surprise, as the author already set a precedent by waiting until the second part to reveal that Richard Parker is actually a Tiger. After finishing the book I was initially dissatisfied, but after talking over the themes and symbolism with Matt and watching the movie, I concede that it was a good writing tactic. A good book leaves you wanting to re-read it. One way of accomplishing this is by changing your perspective in the last few pages.
Anyway, the biggest theme we noticed was "opposition in all things." Pi talks about how in times of rain, he wanted sunlight; and in times of heat, he wanted rain. While he realized the benefits that each brought, he also noticed the drawbacks. As far as the symbolism of the island is concerned, I think it is a representation of Pi's lifestyle on the boat and a personification of his realization that he needed to get back to civilization and shouldn't acquiesce to a life at sea.
Rhetorically,
Rebekah
I was just wondering yesterday how your reading was going and if you had seen the movie yet. Fun to read your take on it.
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