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A review by happea
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Pi, an infinite mathematical constant with relation to a circle is simplified by a single letter of the Greek alphabet, π. It is also the nickname of the protagonist in Yann Martel's Life of Pi, a boy entranced by spiritual knowledge. As he matures in the safe haven of his family's zoo, he becomes enthralled in the practices of three different religions whilst his household starts the process of immigrating from India to Canada. We witness how Pi gets entangled in a shipwreck through this diaspora, becoming the sole human survivor aboard a lifeboat of animals as they float through the Pacific Ocean.
There's a lot of beautiful symbolism and even moments of revulsion in Pi's castaway journey that provides a sense of enlightenment. A young man dropped into the harsh ocean of reality where his own morality is challenged, the book perfectly captures the spiritual essence of his experiences along with the battle between faith and reality. The tiger, Richard Parker,plays a significant role in capturing Pi's character in a meaningful and creative way. His intended name, Thirsty, can be seen as Pi's own thirst for spiritual knowledge while Richard Parker, referring to bravery and park keeper is also his position in overcoming fear and taming a feral animal.
A few chapters particularly focused on Pi’s survival tactics seemed redundant over the course of the novel. However, I still feel strongly of it being a significant piece of literature because just like the constant, π, it was able to hold an endless value of interpretation with cyclical connections from beginning to end while also being simplified into the life of Pi.
There's a lot of beautiful symbolism and even moments of revulsion in Pi's castaway journey that provides a sense of enlightenment. A young man dropped into the harsh ocean of reality where his own morality is challenged, the book perfectly captures the spiritual essence of his experiences along with the battle between faith and reality. The tiger, Richard Parker,
A few chapters particularly focused on Pi’s survival tactics seemed redundant over the course of the novel. However, I still feel strongly of it being a significant piece of literature because just like the constant, π, it was able to hold an endless value of interpretation with cyclical connections from beginning to end while also being simplified into the life of Pi.