Lawless

The Book

The novel is a fictionalised account of the author's grandfather and his brothers, "The Bondurant Boys", who ran a bootlegging operation during the prohibition era in Franklin County. It doesn't shy away from portraying his ancestors as a criminal gang, but as so much of the population were involved in the production, selling or running of distilled liquor, this is nothing extraordinary. They do have integrity of a sort, however, and refuse to bend to the intimidation of locals and the law looking to make a piece for themselves, which sets them up for conflict and revenge.
The description is unflinching and gritty in its portrait of the 1930s - this was not a glamourous time. It is brought vividly to life and it does seem shocking that this was only two generations past.
I also enjoyed the additional side story involving the writer Sherwood Anderson researching some of the local news. Having read Winesburg, Ohio it was nice to find that link and also discover his bizarre death.

The Life of Pi

The Book

I was thinking of taking my daughter to see this film, but having read the book I am slightly concerned, regardless of the PG rating here.
The story is the ultimate survival manual, with the majority of the novel taking place on a lifeboat following the sinking of a freighter carrying Pi, his family and some of their zoo animals to a new life from India to Canada.
Pi tells the story of his 227 days living on the raft with only a Bengal tiger for company, establishing his superiority, marking territory and keeping them alive.
There is an interesting background tale setting the scene in Pondicherry, whereby Pi visits the Muslim, Hindu and Christian places of worship and decides to adopt all three. When it is discovered the religious leaders are outraged, thinking Pi had settled on their own one true teachings. It highlights the inflexibility and stubborn attitudes to religion, where all the follower is looking for is a path to God, regardless of the ritual.