86 pages 2 hours read

Yann Martel

Life of Pi

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2001

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Life of Pi by Yann Martel is a philosophical novel that follows Pi Patel, a young boy from Pondicherry, India, who survives a shipwreck and is stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. As Pi battles the elements and grapples with his understanding of faith and science, he recounts his harrowing journey and eventual rescue in Mexico to skeptical officials.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Yann Martel's Life of Pi captivates with its imaginative storytelling and profound themes, achieving a compelling narrative blend of adventure and spirituality. The protagonist’s survival tale with a tiger fascinates and provokes thought, though some critics find its philosophical ponderings heavy-handed. The book's imaginative scope and emotional depth largely win praise, despite occasional pacing issues.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Life of Pi?

A reader who enjoys Life of Pi by Yann Martel is typically drawn to captivating survival tales and philosophical musings. They would also appreciate the magic realism found in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude and the spiritual journeys in Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist.

Recommended

Reading Age

16+years

Book Details

Genre

Action / Adventure

Fantasy

Magical Realism

Topics

Philosophy

Themes

Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos

Natural World: Animals