Book # 51

Life of Pi

By Yann Martel

Once again it is harvest and canning season and I've discovered the playaways at the Library. It's been ages since I've blogged about a book, and I really haven't read that many since my last blog but I had something to say about this one.  I saw this movie and was disturbed by the ending. Which ending is the true ending? I wanted to know and so I listened to the book for clarification. I'm not going to tell you what I think, but I will relate to you an important conversation at the end of the book.

The Japanese shipping businessmen are interviewing him. 

He tells them both stories and in the end Pi says to them, 

The Simsoom sank on July 2, 1977

Yes. (older Japanese)

And I arrive on the coast of Mexico, the sole human survivor of the Simsoom on February 14, 1978.

That's right. (older Japanese)

I told you two stories that account for the 227 days in between.

Yes, you did. (older Japanese)

Neither explains the sinking of the Simsoom.

That's right. (older Japanese)

Neither makes a factual difference to you.

That's true. (older Japanese)

You can't prove which story is true, and which is not, you must take my word for it.

I guess so. (older Japanese)

In both stories the ship sinks, my entire family dies, and I suffer.

Yes, that's true. (older Japanese)

So, tell me, since it makes no factual difference to you, and you can't prove the question either way, which story do you prefer? Which is the better story? The story with animals or the story without animals. 

That's an interesting question. (older Japanese)

The story with animals. (younger Japanese)

Yes, the story with animals is the better story. (older Japanese)

Thank you. And so it goes with God.

What did he just say? (younger Japanese)

I don't know. (older Japanese)

Ohhh look, he's crying. (younger Japanese)

We'll be careful when we drive away. We don't want to run into Richard Parker. (older Japanese)

Don't worry, you won't. He's hiding somewhere you'll never find him.

What I found in this ending, was not only the true ending but an interesting thing to think about, which was found in his comment about God. I love books like that, that give you something more to think about, even after you are done with the book. That is how I felt about the movie Interstellar, as well. There were interesting things to think and ponder about. Thoughts to keep you awake for awhile when you go to bed at night.

Until Next Time :o)

Book # 46

The Last Lecture
By Randy Pausch

So I found a solution to my problem of not having time to read and blog, well at least the reading part. My brother in law was talking about listening to "The Count of Monte Cristo" on CD as he commuted to work every day. I don't have an ipod or MP3 for when I am in the garden but I am actually spending as much time in the kitchen now canning my produce, that I decided to get books on CD and listen to them while I can. It is awesome. This was the first book I listened to.

For those of you who aren't familiar with him...

Randy Pausch

Randolph Frederick "Randy" Pausch was an American professor of computer science and human-computer interaction and design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Born: October 23, 1960, Baltimore

Died: July 25, 2008, Chesapeake

Spouse: Jai Glasgow

Books: The Last Lecture

Education: Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University

He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006 and was asked to give a "last lecture" which apparently is a common thing with University professors but they aren't literally last lectures, just basically what they would say if it were, or maybe if they are retiring, etc. This really was his last lecture. He spoke about fulfilling childhood dreams and other random things that he felt were important.