Customer Reviews

Life of Pi

5 star:		(130)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I finished reading Yann Martel's 'The Life of Pi' a few days ago, and I'm clearly at least three years too late. With all the hype heaped on the book after it won the prestigious Booker Prize, and the reams of rave reviews (from Canada and around the world) that followed, I expected something pretty good. What I found was a decent novel, but nothing spectacular or important. Sure, coming from the Canadian literary environment dominated by Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro, 'The Life of Pi' was a fresh and exciting find. It was unexpected. But now that the freshness has worn off, and the novel's main conceit has been dispersed all around the internet, it's painfully clear that Martel's book isn't anything special.

The main flaw of 'The Life of Pi' is obvious to anyone who's read the book, regardless of whether they want to admit it or not. There simply isn't enough story, character or idea to fill a novel. 'The Life of Pi' is based on one gimmick and has only one developed character. And despite an overlong beginning that tries to flesh things out, it's all too clear that you're only reading the novel for its final third. The rest is filler and, while sometimes interesting (the parts on animal behaviour and zoos are fun to read), seems to be there only because, well, other books have beginnings and no one will buy a sixty-page novel. In a cruel twist, the best-written and most rewarding part of the first half of the book is the prologue, in the neat form of an author's note.

Another problem is the writing style. Martel writes literature in a way that calls attention to itself as literature, instead of just telling a story. As a result, too many parts of the novel are self-important and wordy. It's a good thing that he has talent then, because sometimes his style works, and the book starts to flow and becomes a pleasure to read. These moments are just too rare to elevate the thin story.

But whatever Martel's shortcomings, 'The Life of Pi' is still eons ahead of most of the hackery that sells like mad these days (I'm looking at you, Dan Brown!). It's a mildly fascinating (and surprisingly gruesome) tale of survival on the high seas that manages to weave religion, science fiction and day-to-day monotony into something that is ultimately thematically rich. However, unlike the old Indian character who claims he can tell a story that will make someone believe in God, Martel's story is more about the role of stories, legends and myths in a society that is leaning evermore toward cold, boring facts than a discussion of religion. It is as a parable about the need for embellishment and imagination that 'The Life of Pi' is most successful and valuable.

Jesus, Mary, Mohammed and Vishnu bless Yann Martel for that.

Yann Martel's novel takes us from a small community in India to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where a boy and a tiger share a lifeboat and develop, if not a friendship, a unique understanding of one another. The novel begins slowly and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but I also couldn't put it down, especially once on the high seas. Like any seafaring tale, it may be "tall" in parts, and you can, if you wish, choose to believe an alternate story provided for you near the end, but I prefer the taller of the two tales, and was bleary-eyed but well rewarded for reading it in one long sitting.

This is one of the most powerful novels I have ever read. It begins with a section that builds up the main character flawlessly. Then it shifts to wonderfully written story of survival, exploring almost every angle of human nature in the face of adversity. It delves into relationships in the most interesting of ways, and makes one think twice about their own. The third and final section of the book brings a bit of a twist in the plot; it left me enjoying the book in it's entirity even more. It is one of those feel good books, which I could not put down.

Two stories are told about how a teenage boy survived many months in a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean before finally making it to safety. The first of those stories occupies 99% of the book. The second story is dragged out of him by investigators, and is told at the very end. Obviously, the second story is the true one, and it is absurd for reviewers to claim that they don't know which is true. The second story will shock you and make you sad, and it will make you understand why the boy had to construct the other story. I don't want to spoil it so you will have to read the book to find out what happens. The one thing I can tell you without hurting your enjoyment of the book is that it is excellent and will stay with you like few stories will. I don't give out five stars lightly.

I heard from everywhere and everyone how wonderful this book was and how I had to read it so I did. Or at least I tried to. I stuck it out about 2/3 of the way before giving up on it (which I don't usually do!). I just couldn't keep waiting for something to happen.

In the book jacket one of the reviewers compares this book to the works of Magic Realism. I myself find that comparison erroneous and offensive.

The book is charming and well written, but it is a lot more "A Beautiful Mind" than any magic realism. That the character does not have a solid ground on truth is already exhibited by the premise that one may combine all three major religions, please God equally as it were. That would only be possible by disassociating himself from the true demands of any faith, by separating the Christian in oneself from the hindu, etc. How schizophrenic is that?

Then there is the matter of how the rest of the story goes. Yes, perhaps a necessary way in which the character manages to cope with a horrible reality... none of the faiths seem to work, because none of them is truly accepted ... thus, something else needs to be invented, this communion with the animals.

A story that makes you believe in God? Hardly, perhaps a new-age type of deity that pleases neither God nor man.

It is really surprising that so many people liked the book. It is very boring, bizarre, and sickening.

I could see how this book would be interesting to someone who is interested in biology. I would not recommend it for the story, because it is Way. Too. Choppy. Something happens, and its done. Something else happens, and its done. Most chapters are not really linked to anything, and it tends to ramble a lot. However, it would be good for facts and survival tips. Or if you like to read 'Worst Case Senarios'.

Another thing about Life of Pi was that it is misleading about beliefs. The book makes it sound like religion is just rituals, and therefore have as many religions as you want. It never mentions that faith is from the heart. If you truly believe the religion that you practice, you won't have multiple religions.

"Life of Pi" has many parallels to spirituality, not only in the context of the author's wording of the story, but in the reading experience itself. Patience is a virtue and "Life of Pi" is a testament to this noble inner moral. The author starts slow, taking time to layout a framework of plausibility to justify the events that are to unfold. Without taking the patience to lay down this groundwork, the miraculous story that unfolds would seem far to infeasible to engross the reader. However, through the author's patience and that of the reader in the initial stages of the book, the ensuing experience is one that will most assuredly reward the reader in literary enjoyment and uplifting of spirit.

True, such a book does not make an instant grab of the reader's devotion as popular mysteries typified by "The Da Vinci Code" or celebrated postmodern literature typified by "My Fractured Life." Nor does such a book as "Life of Pi" present an effortless reading experience typified by easy reading, mass market adult fiction typified by "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." Yet, "Life of Pi" does not need to fall into one of these categories to achieve the same level of grandeur. It is an experience that requires more patience, but in so doing provides a different variety of pleasure.

It is incredible how any author can write 300 pages about a young man and a tiger adrift at sea, all the while keeping one's interest throughout. This book is destined to be taught in English literature classes for many years to come. Maybe also in philosophy and theology classes as well. Well worth the read for one and all. Goodbye Animal Farm - Hello Pi.