Book Review – LIFE OF PI by Yann Martel
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 |
| Life of Pi – Yann Martel |
Yann Martel’s debut novel Life of Pi truly deserves the accolades it has received. I was engaged and entertained by this tale. It is poignant, inspirational and life-affirming.
The predominant narrator is our protagonist Piscine Molitor Patel, who prefers to be called Pi. Interspersed within Pi’s telling of his story of survival as a teenager, is commentary from a reporter writing an article on the life of Pi many years later.
Pi grew up in a zoo and his knowledge of animal behaviours and traits is the foundation from which he shapes his view of the world and people in general. Even the most dour of individuals could not help liking this character. His self possession and belief is utterly charming.
Irreverent observational gems such as the following comment by Pi when delivering his considered review of the castaway survival manual he finds in the lifeboat, consistently brought a smile to my face.
“The injunction not to drink urine was quite unnecessary. No-one called ‘pissin’ during his childhood would be caught dead with a cup of pee at his lips, even alone in a life boat in the middle of the Pacific.”
I also found the disarming simplicity of the 16 year old character’s discussions on the differences and similarities of the world’s three major religions and his thoughts on religion in general both appealing and quite profound.
In Life of Pi Yann Martel has written such a very clever story. Although there is often conjecture about novels that go on to win high profile awards such as the Man Booker Prize, in my opinion there should be no argument when it comes to this novel.
This story will be one that stays with me long after reading it. I strongly recommend men and women, young and old acquainting themselves with this character Pi – he is one of the most admirable, believable and inspirational characters you are likely to meet in the world of fiction.
I listened to Life of Pi on audio and strongly recommend this format. I found narrator Jeff Woodman’s timing, phrasing and inflection for a character born in India speaking English as their second language just brilliant. His delivery really brought to life the humour and irony the protagonist manages to find in his dire predicament. If you haven’t tried an audio-book before this is a wonderful example of the real value of this reading format. Listen to a sample of the audio – Pi discussing sloths.
BOOK RATING: The Story 5 / 5 ; The Writing 5 / 5
BOOK DETAILS: Life of Pi (Audible), Life of Pi (Book Depository), Life of Pi 
Genre: Literature, Action, Adventure
Author Information: Yann Martel was born in Spain but considers Canada home.
Other Resources:
- Read Life of Pi (Wikipedia) for a detailed plot/synopsis.
- Watch a video of an interview with Yann Martel on Life of Pi.
- Read an article discussing allegations of plagiarism surrounding the premise of Life of Pi.
- Director Ang Lee is making Life of Pi into a 3D movie, currently in pre-production scheduled for release in 2012.
- – - Have you tried audiobooks? – - –
See where I get my audiobooks from and why I enjoy them so much!
