~LIfe of Pi~By Yann Martel~Reviewed by Francesca Retana~

I believe the human mind can barely fathom the tragedy and hardships some poor souls endure. “Life of Pi is a story that will make you believe in God,” whispers Francis Adirubasamy. He is mentioned in the fictitious authors note as an elderly man who first reveals Pi”s story to the author. This is the beginning to when the book dives into Pi’s account. However, Yann Martel was the true author of the book. He was behind the making of short stories that were never highly recognized. However in 2002, Life of Pi became widely recognized as a bestseller. First published in Canada, the fictional story spread across the world. Since, it has been translates into 30 different languages. This story embraces and restores hope in all who read it. The many pages tell Pi’s struggle to live.

Piscine Molitor Patel, known as Pi, is the stories protagonist. The encrypted story of his name is just as extraordinary as the story of his life. Most of book is filled with Pi’s account at sea for seven months, but the story has a deeper foundation. Animals are given human attributes while representing human nature. Perhaps the importance of the animals is connected to the way Pi grew up with the zoo animals. He was born in Pondicherry, India to Gita and Santosh Patel. He also has an older brother Ravi. As
Pi grows older, his interest in religion expands. He begins practicing three religions and their teachings are constantly reflected in the story. It is when their family embarks on a voyage that the climax arises. They board a Japanese cargo ship in search of a better situation. Complications and tragedy leave Pi alone in a lifeboat with wild animals. It’s his story of survival that inspires you to turn the page.

This novel tells the tale of an Indian boy’s will to live. It is revealed that fiery passion surpasses a life-hungry stupidity. I love the way author incorporated animals to display the acts pf humans. It added a deeper meaning and an interesting perspective. As Pi faces 227 days with a Bengal Tiger on a lifeboat, the truth of the story is revealed. Living creatures will exhibit extraordinary and unexpected behavior in life-or-death situations. With this book you begin to wonder, what really is acceptable in such situations? As all living things possess the power of good and evil, using both would only make you a divided being. This is what you find when one is removed from society and order. You become your own enemy and ally. Certainly this occurrence applies to all because life will defend itself no matter how small it is. It was this book that opened by eyes to such a reality. Before I would have never considered this.

I’ve realized your drive to live may not be enough. Sometimes it’s the elements around you and their contribution that allow you to continue living. You are then left to search yourself and change the way you look at the world and what it has done in your favor. This story also had many symbols, with Pi himself being the most evident to me. Pi is the suffering protagonist, but also an irrational number referencing the distance of a circle. The number is never ending. I interpreted this as an allegorical figure with many parts. I saw the nature of all humans and took from it something very important. I picked apart a very complex quote and was left with a simple notion. In yourself, you become a companion of torment, an awful, fierce thing that keeps you alive. Life becomes a twisted conundrum, which you struggle to solve. It is then that you discover you must believe in something to truly live. “ To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation.” Life of Pi unveiled a message of hope and survival to me.

I highly recommend this book to students in high school. It is a great piece of literature filled with fascinating perspectives and uplifting perseverance. The way it is written in the voice of the struggling boy, gives you clear insight. I became emotionally invested in the novel because you felt the sorrow of the boy bleeding from the pages. I must say, as it is an allegorical novel, you really have to search for the subtle meanings. Imagination is an essential part of life, as Pi will show you.