LIFE OF PI by Yann Martell

   

Piscine Molitor Patel was a 16 years old castaway from India who survived the Pacific in 227 days with an adult Bengal Tiger for a boat mate. -That is the easiest synopsis I can come up with. What transpired between the pages cannot be simply put into words, nor can the mind readily assimilate.

The LIFE OF PI is a book you have to really spend time to read. It may take some time for the reader to get through at first, but as they say “patience is a virtue”; and its interpretation alone is rewarding.

While reading, I was rooting for Pi for being brave and resourceful. And yet, angry at him for his lack of basic sailing knowledge. But deep down inside, I was anxious for Pi’s psychological battle- his fight for HOPE.

I was deeply moved by the ordeal Pi went through. Moreover, with his willpower to move on. I learned a lot from reading his story and did some reflection as well. Like the overwhelming vastness of the ocean, life is just as huge, and its struggles come in waves. Paddling can wear us down. The heat can leave us thirsty, hungry, and delusional. We entertain dreams and fiction rather than face reality. Yet with Hope, we may get us to our projection. It can be our sail, our paddle, and our anchor. We just have to believe.

If you stumble about believability, what are you living for? 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?

Book Details:
Title: Life of Pi
Author: Yann Martel
Publication: August 29, 2006, by Seal Books
Genre: Fiction
Rating: ★★★★