Independant+Novel+Study

__//Independent Novel Study: Connor Harrison//__ _ Book: The life of Pi Author: Yann Martel Date: Friday, December 2, 2011 Pages: 1 - 71 (Ch. 1 - 10)

Even through the short section I have completed, I can point out an age group that this novel would entertain. I see that the vocabulary and writing style is a bit more sophisticated than other reads, (ex: "He called "tidbit-itis" the cases of entiris or gastritus due to too many carbohydrates...") which I think would be understood and appreciated by a more mature audience. But, I do beleive that this material can focus on young adolescents and above.
 * To what age group is the novel aimed? Support your answer with evidence.**

As I mentioned earlier, the novel seems to be written in the format like a journal. I find that this writing style is very interedting to read, and keeps me up with what events have taken place. I also see that each chapter of the book seems to highlight a certain topic, or subject, which is played out for each chapter, but also seems to tie everything together as the book proceeds.
 * Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events?**

When looking for an interesting read, I always would like to hear good feedback from other readers. The book, "The life of Pi", was very highly recommended by many other readers, and I am enjoying the book even this early on. The book has a very interesting style of writing, almost as if it was written like a journal or diary. I will enjoy reading this novel all the way through.
 * Why did you select this novel?**

The first part of the book is a very interesting read for me personally. I already feel an attachment to the characters and their personalities. I can't wait to continue to the next section. _ Book: The life of Pi Author: Yann Martel Date: Friday, December 2, 2011 Pages: 72 - 98 (Ch. 11 - 18)
 * Summary:**

The book's format is very interesting, and keeps me holding on and wanting to continue the read. I also learn a new thing about the character each chapter. It is a very clever way to keep the reader attached and attentive to the story line. I also have some personal relations to the character's interests. He is fascinated by nature, and I am too. The choice of words in the novel are also very well placed and defined. With all of these combined, it makes it a fascinating read for myself and other readers.
 * How does the author get you to read on or hold your interest?**

Yes, the novel is believable. It is like a story of his (Pi's) life, and the events that surpass very much as real as events that come to pass in reality. He seems to have a very well lived life, living by the zoo, which is why he is so attached to nature and animals. He has a family, brother, mom dad, as many of us do. He also is very attached to his other family members, and seems to encounter other people and take a piece of their life along with him, as he lives out his own.
 * Is the novel believable?**

As the story begins, I can already see much of the upcoming events, for example, after looking at the cover of the book, I can see a tiger, and a man, in a boat. After reading a bit more through the future events, I can see, for example, how his love for animals is a very strong influence on his life. I also noticed how his dad pointed out specifically how the tiger is the most dangerous animal. The author really emphasized this fact, and I could understand why he would. The first few chapters of the story really help the reader to picture the upcoming circumstances of the novel.
 * What's going on as the story begins?**

The second section, although drawn out, still has me looking foreword to the upcoming events. I do plan to read more of the book for next week's input, and I am enjoying it in the process. _ Book: The life of Pi Author: Yann Martel Date: Thursday, December 14, 2011 Pages: 99 - 124 (19 - 28)
 * Summary:**

When reading the novel, it's not the setting that is the most important, it is simply the characters Pi encounters as you continue to read through, basically, the story of his life. So I see that the setting is not a big influence on the story. Even then, the setting does seem to jump around various places. Yet, I feel that the other readers wouldn't mind of that fact, because it also is where most of the "action" in the story happens.
 * What is the setting of the novel? Is the setting important or could the novel be happening anywhere? Why?**

The novel pretty much gets right into the story, which is great for the fellow reader. However, because the story is more like a diary than anything else, you are not just continuing through a chain of events, but more like reviewing them. You are reading over Pi's life, from the beginning to the end.
 * What information did you need to know before reading the novel?**

I think that Pi's first problem he encountered was him trying to cope with his name. At school, he seemed to be picked on by his fellow classmates, and that made it hard for him to make friends and boost his self esteem. This problem was later solved by him, after he decided to be called by a shortened version of his original name: Pi. He was much greater respected and treated by his classmates, and by the rest of the school.
 * What is the initial or first problem faced by the main character?**

The Book continues to progress, and the story is still a great read. Looking forward to the next chapter! _ Book: The life of Pi Author: Yann Martel Date: Friday, January 13, 2012 Pages: 125 - 245.
 * Summary:**

I believe the climax of this novel is the beginning of part 2. This is the section of the story when Pi's family, and their entire zoo, are being shipped to Canada, their new, or soon to be home. The first sentence of part two is, "The boat sank." immediately you could feel the action that was forthcoming in the near future. The main plot of the story was about to unfold. Also, Because you had become so attached to the characters, it made the story flow and kept the reader asking for more. The book's writing style suddenly changed.
 * What is the climax of the novel? **

Over the course of the story, little things did pop up that requires the main character to problem solve. But The thing that I can relate to most about this story is that it is the story of Pi's life, and the beginning, although relatively crazy, (Living a life in the zoo), and until the boat sank, anyone at an early age can find someway to link to Pi's life. Even though it seems as if he is a bit on the extreme side of life, he is still a early teenager, and I can relate to a lot of his problems and issues in the story. I found it very surprising when the boat sank in the story. It was a complete turn of events from the original story line.
 * What plot twists or unexpected events happen as the novel goes on? **

Throughout the story, Pi met and encountered various people and places, and along with them came a few small problems that he was required to solve. For example, Pi was required to choose a religion, after he had been taught three by three individuals that he had met along the course of his life. What he learned from these three religions and persons, comes into play to help him get through certain problems in his life.
 * How are the major and minor conflicts solved? **

As I near the end of the story, I can start to see the events unfolding. It will be a great book to finish!
 * Summary:**

_ Book: The life of Pi Author: Yann Martel Date: Friday, January 13, 2012 Pages: 246 - End.

The end of the book was a great finish to the story line. But even after the first few chapters I could really see an emerging message in the writing, and that was to never give up. Never give up hope, your dreams, or to stay strong. The section of the story which this was relevant was Part 2, when Pi was lost out at sea. He was questioning his faith and religion, which he had built up his whole childhood. He was put out to the extreme of situations, living in the middle of the ocean, with a loose tiger on board. The novel was very well put together in this section, I thought, and it never stops sending that same message to me.
 * Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it shown?**

The novel met my expectations. But I had to say it was far from what I expected. The author wrote the book with such emotion and feeling it was very hard to put down. I found the moral of the story very inspiring and the characters very profound. I had a very different picture of how the story was going to turn out, and I was very surprised when important aspects of the story happened. I had never heard of the book before, and thought that I should try something new. I am very glad I did! Even at first, The author was writing about Pi as if he was Pi himself. That is one of the important parts of the story that stood out to me. The writing.
 * Why did (or didn't) the novel meet your expectations?**

I found that the choice of words, spelling and grammar, were more advanced then many other books or novels. But you could take in the meaning of the story very differently among a wide variety of age groups, and much of the book was to be taken by interpretation. I interpreted it in a very different way then many of my friends and family did. But that is also what makes up a great story. It causes discussion, asks questions and takes you another level into the book.
 * Is the language in the novel difficult or easy? GIve examples and explain.**

The life of Pi was an excellent book to read. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story with darkness, mystery, and joy.
 * Summary:**

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Focus Assignment:

**The main character in the book, is not very hard to figure out. Even by looking at the title, you can see his name. Yes, Pi Patel is the heart of the story, “The life of Pi”. He is the most important aspect of the novel. One thing that I can most definitely point out about him is the way Pi thinks. He has a very different mind from many other individuals in the story, and that is what makes it such a great read. Pi thinks outside of the box, and is always passing the literal meaning of something to try and look at, “the bigger picture”. I realized this in chapters 1 - 13. For example, if you look at the first chapter, the way the author illustrates what Pi thinks and feels is amazing in a way. I felt inspired by the first chapter of the book. **

**Also, you can really start to picture, after the first few chapters of the book, what the world means to Pi. The way he reacts to it is unique, and gives the reader a perfect picture about the life he lives in India. Examples are in the chapters where Pi meets the three religious men, and starts to practice multiple religions, which seem so different, yet in Pi’s mind all are linked by the same foundation of fact and fiction. The book has given me a whole new look at the world in general, but this I also thought was inspiring. **

**But, if you put aside all the metaphorical aspects of Pi, and look at the literal, he also does seem like an inspiring character in the book. He is a young boy, wanting to pull the fullest out of life, and the book is like you accompanying him along the story of his life. But when he is shipwrecked at sea, his whole life turns upside down. He starts to question his faith, his life, and forgets his family. It starts to put questions in your mind about how you would feel in the same situation, obviously scared, and desperate for survival, but almost anyone could feel sympathy for Pi after you had become so attached to his character in the previous chapters. **

**But if you were to congratulate Pi on how he handled his life, I would beg to differ. I see the book being the perfect combination of collaboration between the author and subject. Pi himself could have written this book and still have been interesting enough to finish, but when put through the ** **words of the author made everything twice as elaborate, heartfelt, and rewarding to continue reading the story. But of course the would be no life of Pi, without Piscine himself, right? **

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