Life of PI – Yann Martel (2002)

I rather surprised myself with this book, as I really enjoyed it. I had heard people taking about the book, mentioning a philosophical aspect – well I am no philosopher and so that put me off. In fact I found all aspects of this novel, thought provoking, but also highly readable. I had wanted to read this novel because I once set myself the challenge to read all the booker winners (at some point – not all in one go).  Life of Pi  won the prize in 2002. I think I now have just 11 or 12 to go – and one of those is currently sitting on my TBR.

The story of Pi Patel and what happens on that lifeboat can be read on two levels. You can read it purely as a good story – or you can delve deeper into the more philosophical side of things.
Pi is the son of a zoo keeper from Pondicherry in India – when the family travel – along with some of the zoo animals that have been sold – on a cargo ship to Canada the ship sinks. Leaving Pi the sole survivior, aboard a lifeboat with a hyena, a zebra and 450 lb Bengal tiger. How Pi survives his time at sea, and the tiger, is a marvelous story in itself – which leaves you wondering how much was true. Pi quickly becomes a memorable narrator, and the story told in 100 chapters is a real page turner. Some of the details of animals ripping into the flesh of other creatures was not all that lovely – but other than that Life of Pi proved to have been an unexpected joy.