Life of Pi – Yann Martel

READ FOR BOOKCLUB

Chosen by Nadine

A fantasy adventure in which the protagonist, Pi, is shipwrecked and must endure life at sea with a Bengal Tiger. Inspired by a true story, the book explores questions about faith, friendship and fiction. It is a unique blend of religious exploration, a meditation on the nature of truth, and the shipwreck survival tale. It won the 2002 Man Booker Prize.

“I had to stop hoping so much that a ship would rescue me. I should not count on outside help. Survival had to start with me. In my experience, a castaway’s worst mistake is to hope too much and to do too little. Survival starts by paying attention to what is close at hand and immediate. To look out with idle hope is tantamount to dreaming one’s life away.”

⚈ “I really enjoyed Life of Pi, especially the twist at the end. Although, I still have some unanswered questions like who was the Frenchman?!” – Nadine

⚈ “I have solidly resisted watching the movie, despite it’s fantastic reviews.  Would much rather keep the story’s amazing imagery firmly slotted into my own imagination.  I found this book uncomfortable reading at the best of times, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.  A classic.” – Suzy

⚈ “I love a seemingly simple story with a twist. But I adore a book that makes me turn back to page one immediately upon completion for a re-read! Martel writes as if combining fact and fiction, with a narrator who is likeable and believable. The zoo animals and Pi’s ringmaster type control of them lends the book a fable type atmosphere that kept me spellbound. A clever and interesting story.” – Rachel

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Published 2003
Mariner Books
236 pages