Life of Pi - Martel

The Life of Pie by Yann Martel - 3/5

"The Life Of Pi"(LOP) is a mystical journey that attempts to discover self, life and meaning. The (in)credibly absurd journey of Pi and Richard Parker through the Pacific Ocean is one of the most unlikely tales of them all. The story is both inventive and creative. Written with taints of the nostalgic, LOP is an invigorating, light hearted read that entertains it¡¦s readers from beginning to end.

Martel slowly draws his readers into the depths of Pi¡¦s life with a description of the habits and nature of the three-toed sloth. From these descriptions, one is transported to the unique and interesting world of Pi¡¦s early years at Pondicherry, India. We are introduced to the people who deeply influenced Pi¡¦s life, the religious mentors that guided him through a maze of spirituality. Pi finally concludes that he is a Hindu, Muslim and Christian all at once. Through this witness Martel expresses the belief that all religions are fundamentally the same, that all religions are searching for a single ultimate reality and that all religions provide a legitimate pathway to God.

Pi argues that "we should not be jealous with God"implying that we should not claim any religion has unique knowledge and offers the only way to the divine. Pi explains that the "paths to liberation are numerous, but the bank along the way is always the same, the bank of Karma, where the liberation account of each of us is credited or debited depending on our actions."Pluralism has many fatal flaws that are not addressed in this book but at least Martel acknowledges that all religious teachers (even Hindus) claim some level of exclusivity. This is dramatically and humorously illustrated when Pi accidentally bumps into a Pandit, an Imam and a Christian Priest all at once.

A second theme that emerges from LOP is the intrinsic will to survive that all living organisms have. Pi observes that, "all living things contain a measure of madness that moves them in strange, sometimes inexplicable ways. This madness can be saving; it is part and parcel of the ability to adapt. Without it, no species would survive." But, when on the life boat watching a zebra in pain and distress, Pi openly admits that "when your own life is threatened, your sense of empathy is blunted by a terrible, selfish hunger for survival."

As a philosophical inquiry into religion and life, LOP is not complete. After all the reviews I read of how it would make one believe in God, I was surprised to find that it was not as complex or as interrogative as I expected it to be. While Martell does make some comments about religion and the will to survive, the narrative is not deeply profound, fluent and clear yes, but philosophically whimsical. Ultimately I do not think the narrative was meant to be a framework for a philosophical inquiry, but rather the deep issues flowed inherently from the narrative.

Ultimately Martell is a supreme storyteller who is able to spin a yarn like no other. LOP tells a wonderful tale that is worth telling and stretches the mind to edge of belief where a reader may wonder if Pi¡¦s feat is plausible. As a story, LOP is clearly written, humorous in part, vulgar and grotesque at points and ultimately triumphant. Although LOP may or may not be worthy of the Booker prize, it is, at the very least, an entertaining read, and that is more than can be said for many novels out there today. Congratulations Yann Martel.

P.S. If you ever get stuck on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, make sure you have this book with you, it may just save your life. And if you are ever in Mexico and bump into Richard Parker say hi to him for me.

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