Life of Pi: Review

I recently read 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel. It wasn't what I was expecting at all, but in a good way!

In summary, 'Life of Pi' follows the story of Pi, an Indian teenager who survives a shipwreck while transporting his father's zoo to Canada. Pi shares his 200-day journey at sea with an adult Bengal tiger called Richard Parker. The book details his philosophies relating to religion, life, and the importance of storytelling, along with the trials and hardships faced whilst stranded in the ocean.

In his author's notes, Martel proudly suggests that 'Life of Pi' will make you believe in God. I'm not sure that will ring true for everyone, but I'd certainly agree with the idea that this is a book that will offer a fresh perspective on religion and faith that will make you think.

I was impressed with Pi's intelligence and open-mindedness to faith: he is a character with not one, but three religions, and feels strongly connected to all of them.

The book contains a lot of interesting quotes which will help you to get a better sense of the story than I could - here are some that I particularly liked:

"The reason death sticks so closely to life isn't biological necessity-it's envy. Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous possessive love that grabs at what it can."

"I know zoos are no longer in people's good graces. Religion faces the same problem. Certain illusions about freedom plague them both."

"To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation."

"The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart."

"It's important in life to conclude things properly. Only then can you let go. Otherwise you are left with words you should have said but never did, and your heart is heavy with remorse."

"High calls low and low calls high. I tell you, if you were in such dire straits as I was, you too would elevate your thoughts. The lower you are, the higher your mind will want to soar."

"Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe, ask any scientist. God is hard to believe, ask any believer. What is your problem with hard to believe?"

"The world isn't just the way it is. It is how we understand it, no? And in understanding something, we bring something to it, no? Doesn't that make life a story?"

I haven't seen the film yet, but I fully intend to! If you've seen it, did you enjoy it? What did you think?