A review by snowreo
Life of Pi by Yann Martel

4.0

Potential spoilers below!

Review updated 8/9/18:

I read this book for my AP Literature class and I have to say, after coming off of The Scarlet Letter and Pride and Prejudice (shutters), I was not expecting much. However, Life of Pi really surprised me and I have to say that it was my favorite book to read for that class.

Life of Pi tells the story of a boy named Piscine Molitor "Pi" Patel from Pondicherry. In his teenage years, his parents decide to move to give their children a better life. However, the cargo ship they are on sinks, killing both his parents and his older brother. Stranded in the middle of the ocean with a Bengal tiger, Pi must find the strength within himself to survive and make it to shore.

Having deeply analyzed the narrative for class, I've come to have a deep appreciation for this novel. Its themes and the main character, Pi Patel, are what knock it out of the park for me.

T H E M E S
Religion and its place in the world are important all throughout the novel. Very early on, Pi has a deep love for spirituality and belief. Having been born into Hinduism, he also comes to practice Islam and Christianity. When faced with having to choose just one, he responds with "I just want to love God." This belief comes into question many times throughout, such as when he faces a huge storm or hunger. However, it is Pi's belief in a higher purpose that gives him the strength and hope needed to survive. It also provides him a way to keep himself busy so he does not succumb to awful thoughts.

An additional theme is the nature of storytelling and the belief in stories itself. For anyone who has not read the book and does not want to be spoiled, do not read this spoiler section! For anyone who has read the novel or does not mind being spoiled, continue if you dare! Towards the end, after Pi has been saved and is resting up in Mexico, two men come to interview him about the sinking of the Japanese cargo ship. It is clear from the very beginning that the interviewers do not believe Pi's fantastical story, so he gives them another one. This time, all of the animals are replaced with people. In the old story, Pi's parents drowned and he was on a lifeboat with a hyena, orangutan, and a Bengal tiger. The hyena kills the orangutan and the tiger kills the Hyena. In this new story, the animals are now his father, mother, brother, and a cannibalistic cook. Although the new story makes sense, the animal story also has proof. This is where the nature of storytelling and belief in stories come into play. The author leaves the true story ambiguous and up to interpretation. In the end, it does not matter which story is true because no matter which story you believe, Pi's survival is amazing nonetheless.

M A I N C H A R A C T E R
Pi is so full of personality and although he is portrayed to be a good person, he has his flaws. It makes him so interesting to follow because even though you think he may react one way, he may react a completely different way. Additionally, he allows the reader to see parts of his life and how they impact his decisions. Overall, Pi is just a cool dude.

C O N S/F I N A L T H O U G H T S
The one thing that bothered me about Life of Pi is that in certain parts, not a lot happens. There are sometimes ten chapter intervals where all Pi does is describe injuries, various thoughts, and how many supplies he has. It makes sense for this book - as what are you really going to do in the middle of the ocean - but I'm just the type of person who likes a lot of action and dialogue.

However, I have a deep admiration for this book and I recommend it for anyone who is thinking about reading it.