Life of Pi by Yann Martel

This is a novel I studied for my English Literature A Level. I must admit that my first impression of it was that it would be completely boring. My prediction was right for the first few chapters, however, what followed was that Martel took his readers on an unforgettable journey.

This coming-of-age novel follows Pi, a young boy, as he struggles to survive 227 days at sea with a Bengal tiger as a companion. This novel explores religion, identity, spirituality and relationships between humans and animals. The thing that made this novel so interesting was not only the way it was written but also the way it was structured. The reader is introduced to three versions of Pi. The first being the adult and grown up version of Pi who graduated from university but also started his own family. He is the overall narrator of the story. Secondly, we are introduced to the Pi who lived in Pondicherry, India before he moved to Canada. During this period, Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency on India which meant that citizens practically lost their rights. Here we learn that Pi has dedicated his life to three different religions and he also loves science which is interesting since religion and science are polar opposites. Finally, we are introduced to the Pi who is stranded at sea with Richard Parker (the tiger) and other animals who end up killing each other.


The way in which this book is written makes the readers believe that it is an autobiography, when in reality it is nothing more than a fantasy adventure novel. Throughout the novel or journey, the readers continuously question Pi's mentality as he stumbles across an island that eats humans and is inhabited by meerkats. Martel makes the readers truly appreciate the luxuries that they might be surrounded by because, even though we know that this is nothing more than a story, the way it is written in makes the reader forget what reality is.
However, the most amazing part of the whole novel is the ending. Martel allows the reader to choose between two different endings. He allows the reader to either choose reality or insanity which ultimately allowed Pi to survive. I chose the latter because the way the author wrote the novel made it so realistic and he planned and explained the ways Pi survived so clearly that it made the reader believe that it would actually be possible to survive on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. I recommend this book to anyone who loves reading because it truly does take the reader on a journey that questions our beliefs and views of religion and belief. It questions reality and sanity.