The Life of Pi follows Pi Patel a young Indian boy who experiences a shipwreck while crossing the Pacific Ocean trying to start a new life in Canada with his family. The story starts off as a flashback into Pi’s life prior to the shipwreck and he recounts his time in Pondi Cherry, India- where he grew up. He spent a lot of time at his family-owned zoo and developed a strong love for animals! Pi is also fascinated with religion and practices three, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam, despite the disapproval from his teachers and parents. Pi and his family are immigrating to Canada via ship with the zoo animals until things take a turn for the worse. His family dies because the ship encounters a violent storm and sinks. However, Pi survives and is stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Pi must find a way to survive alongside Richard Parker using his knowledge of animals and survival skills. Over the course of their journey, Pi and Richard Parker form an unlikely bond. Pi uses his love for religion to keep him going through this tough journey.
Yann Martel touches on themes of survival, spirituality, and the human will to live. Making it a must-read. The blend of adventure and Pi’s spiritual connection really resonates with the reader through self-identification. Pi’s resourcefulness is inspirational to the reader, and his resiliency makes this book a top read!