The life of tolerance

Potential film interest lead me to read the novel before hand... well, not so much READ as "digest" again, via cd's while I tore through my bedroom assembling pieces for my illustration portfolio. I would pass this book on the table at Barnes and Nobles, marked as a "Must Read". You've passed it too - it's sitting on that table year-round. I thought it was a lot of hype, as a lot of people approaching the text. Upon reading reviews of this novel, many say "Believe in the hype!" this note is true.

This isn't a novel for the weak stomach. The Life of Pi is incredibly stunning while also very graphic (blood and gore-wise). This is also another Elegance of the Hedgehog style philosophical read. There's a LOT more visually stunning narrative in Martel's book, as opposed to Barbery's novel. One can't compare the philosophy and religious tones of Life of Pi to Elegance of the Hedgehog, but I can't help but point out that they are both rich with existential content. That's really all the two books share in common, so I'll end that thought here. (If one is considering a comparative essay, it would be easy to compare and contrast the workings of God, or caste systems of France & India, or even survival tactics.... just some ideas.)

Though about 70%-75% of Life of Pi exists adrift the Pacific Ocean, Martel's novel is hardly quiet or lacking in colorful activity. Before Piscine is stranded on the life boat, he has an incredibly rich growth through religion... or rather Religions. From the very start I was swimming in the theme of tolerance. Piscine's experience pushing the thought: We are all the same; we are of the same God. "Hindus, in their capacity for love, are indeed hairless Christians, just as Muslims, in the way they see God in everything, are bearded Hindus, and Christians, in their devotion to God, are hat wearing Muslims."

That's what I take with me from Life of Pi: We are all struggling to survive as people and animals. Though we be different, it is all the same struggle. Whether you're a hyena, injured zebra, or a petrified young man, we're all in this together. 5/5 Stars - Read this! Also, I highly recommend as the audio-book format, as this is one of the best I've crossed.