Life of Pi in CSS 8.3 and 8.4

Jun 13, 2013 Madyson rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Novel Study Review: By Madyson 8.4
Life of Pi – by Yann Martel

Life of Pi was an awe-inspiring journey that captured the hearts of readers everywhere. Martel created a connection with the reader by providing real-life examples and emotions. Pi, the protagonist, is a young 16-year-old Indian boy, who takes on an unexpected journey with the disadvantage of living with a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Trapped with minimal food and water, Pi must survive with his unwanted guest, lost in the Pacific Ocean.

It Novel Study Review: By Madyson 8.4
Life of Pi – by Yann Martel

Life of Pi was an awe-inspiring journey that captured the hearts of readers everywhere. Martel created a connection with the reader by providing real-life examples and emotions. Pi, the protagonist, is a young 16-year-old Indian boy, who takes on an unexpected journey with the disadvantage of living with a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Trapped with minimal food and water, Pi must survive with his unwanted guest, lost in the Pacific Ocean.

It starts off with Pi, living in Pondicherry at the time, as son of a zoo owner. His journey begins when his family decides to immigrate to Canada, bringing most of their zoo with them to sell in North America. The family boards the cargo ship, with their animal companions, and they set off on a voyage to a new life. Unfortunately, the ship sinks (possibly because of an explosion, but it is unknown) and Pi is the lone survivor. Imprisoned within a single lifeboat with a hyena, zebra, orangutan and Bengal tiger, Pi learns what he must do to survive. The hyena, zebra with a broken leg and orangutan are killed off one by one, leaving only Pi and Richard Parker (the Bengal tiger). I found this to be the most gruesome part of the book, for the hyena kills the zebra body part by body part, day by day, taking its sweet time. Only once the zebra had lost one of its legs to the savage teeth of the hyena and half eaten (including the most of the organs) did the zebra finally pass. As I said before, I believed this to be a very odious part of the book. After the events that occurred with the deaths of most of the animals on the boat, Pi and Richard Parker were the ones that remained. This is when Pi’s hunger for survival really began.

With action on every page, you will never want to put this book down. The mere idea and problem of the book is captivating, passionate and magical. It was one boy, one boat and one tiger, together designing a fresh novel and motion picture. I enjoyed the expressive words Martel used to describe the thoughts and emotions of Pi and his hidden love for Richard Parker, his one and only companion. With seemingly endless amounts of dark blue water surrounding the single boat, the idea of survival is slim. Hope is evident for the first week, but after that, it begins to perish, as if the deep sea below swallowed it whole.

Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel, the main character, is very well structured and defined. I was able to understand Pi’s religion, beliefs and character by the end of the book. Martel expertly described Pi’s beliefs and thoughts toward his religion. For example, Martel included stories from the different religions that Pi began to love and follow as well as traditions. Pi’s search for God takes up most of his younger years and quite a bit of the beginning of the book. God stays with him throughout the book and his trust in him doesn’t waver, even as he nears death.

Martel’s style of writing is very descriptive and powerful. He uses lucid and vivid words to convey his tale. I enjoy this feature in his writing because it adds more knowledge toward the book and its characters. Martel’s vast vocabulary is creatively used throughout the book, enhancing the reader’s experience (at least for me).

The beginning 100 pages of the book are quite slow, more descriptive and less action. I advise that if you would like to read the book just for your personal enjoyment and not want to read the “telling” of the story, skip the first 100 pages and dive right in. The last 200 or so pages are pure ecstasy, opening the mind and trusting the imagination. I loved how Martel included small aspects that assisted to create a more realistic, believable story. For example, when he incorporated the survival list, it made me connect to the story and believe that it could be real. The exact amounts and items made it even more realistic. From the carnivorous island to the rainbow fish, Martel’s creative power is very visible throughout the book. I relish these aspects. They provide a sanctuary for the mind, a reminder of a distant world that I can live within.

I thought that the end of the book (where Pi told the story to the reporters) was very interesting. The way Martel ended with 2 stories for you to choose from created a connection. It gave you the option to choose which story you like most. For me, I enjoyed the story with the tiger (obviously). It was more creative, interesting and overall a better story.

Other than the beginning of the story, I really enjoyed the overall book. I would defiantly recommend it to others and I would rate it a 4.5/5.

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