From the Bookshelf of Lush Library…

Life of Pi

Yann Martel

Start date: April 1, 2012

Finish date: April 30, 2012

Discussion: Past Group Reads

Discussion leader: Sophia

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Past Group Reads

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What Members Thought

Mar 28, 2012 Sophia rated it it was amazing

The story starts quite slowly, and follows 14-year old Piscine Patel, growing up in Pondicherry, India, where his family owns the municipal zoo. Pi, as he is known, is an unusual boy who thinks deeply about religion and practises Hindu, Christian and Muslim faiths simultaneously, much to the bemusement of his family and community. Pi narrates the tale himself, and has a rather meandering style, digressing frequently from the core story to ponder religious, philosophical or psychological matters, The story starts quite slowly, and follows 14-year old Piscine Patel, growing up in Pondicherry, India, where his family owns the municipal zoo. Pi, as he is known, is an unusual boy who thinks deeply about religion and practises Hindu, Christian and Muslim faiths simultaneously, much to the bemusement of his family and community. Pi narrates the tale himself, and has a rather meandering style, digressing frequently from the core story to ponder religious, philosophical or psychological matters, often involving little mini-stories to illustrate his point. I liked this slow, thoughtful approach, and there was a lot to think about and ponder in these digressions. I made the mistake of thinking the whole book was going to proceed in a similar style, so I really wasn’t prepared when things suddenly got exciting.

After political upheaval in India, Pi’s parents decide the time has come to emigrate, so they sell up and book a ticket to Canada. Accompanying them on their voyage are a number of animals from the zoo, which have been sold to zoos in North America. However, the ship sinks en route, and Pi finds himself alone, adrift on a lifeboat with only a hyena, a wounded zebra, an orang-utan and a Bengal tiger for company. When this happens the story really cranks up a gear, and goes from being a gentle little family tale to a thrilling battle for survival. It’s a far-fetched story in many ways - intentionally so - but told in such a magical way that all disbelief is suspended and you end up right there in the boat with Pi, feeling the hunger, thirst, terror and loneliness along with him.

The book doesn’t flinch on gory details, and there’s not one aspect of life as a castaway that’s not explored in all its unsavoury detail. Vegetarians beware – the book is full of gruesome killings (there is a tiger present, after all), but I never felt that this was done gratuitously. A castaway’s attention is naturally focused almost exclusively on food and how to get it, so it’s right that these passages have such prominence – you shouldn’t let it put you off reading this amazing book.

The story in Life of Pi can be read in a number of ways; as a straight survival story, as a religious allegory, a symptom of severe psychological distress or as a philosophical treatise. However, the stunning ending makes it clear just what point the author was making, so there are no unanswered questions, just ideas to be savoured and mulled over. ...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Kerry Bridges rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book and it certainly made me think. I am very much in agreement with Pi in his religious ideals, and I think this did make me like his character even more, but I also thought he was a really well rounded character who I came to care about completely. This is the book I thought I would be reading when I bought Jamrach's menagerie - read this one instead! ...more

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