“Life
of Pi is a masterful and utterly original novel that is at once the
story of a young castaway who faces immeasurable hardships on the
high seas, and a meditation on religion, faith, art and life that is
as witty as it is profound. Using the threads of all of our best
stories, Yann Martel has woven a glorious spiritual adventure that
makes us question what it means to be alive, and to believe.” –
LitLovers.com
This
novel sounds like it may be our most intense novel yet. From our
readings so far, we’ve been to Australia, England, China, and
Yemen, just to name a few. We’ve looked briefly into the worlds of
Judaism and Islam. We’ve explored the inter-workings of disheveled
families, hardworking dancers, and neglected children. Now we travel
to India, get a peek into Hinduism and sail on the high seas.
Will
the hardships that await Pi and the tiger be difficult for us to
fathom?
Lit
Lovers has a few discussion questions that I find challenging and
interesting. If you ladies do not wish to try any of them after our
reading, that’s no problem. Depending on how much energy I can
find within myself, I may give them a go!:
“In
the Author's Note, Mr. Adirubasamy boldly claims that this story
"will make you believe in God," and the author, after
researching and writing the story, agrees. Did Pi's tale alter your
beliefs about God?
There
is a lot of storytelling in this religious novel. Is there a
relationship between religion and storytelling? Is religion a form of
storytelling? Is there a theological dimension to storytelling?
How
might the novel's flavor have been changed if the sole surviving
animal had been the zebra with the broken leg? Or Orange Juice? Or
the hyena? Would Pi have survived with a harmless animal or an ugly
animal, say a sheep or a turkey? Which animal would you like to find
yourself with on a lifeboat?”
Happy
Reading!
How are you both? I hope you are being spoiled as you go through the early stages of pregnancy, Katie. We are still in winter here: more snow promised this week, temperatures down to freezing at night and not much above in daylight with very cold winds. Jay has gone to Malaysia until May. One can hardly blame him. I hope the long delay in the arrival of spring here means winter has been delayed in Australia.
ReplyDeleteI'm posting early, but I don't think there are any spoilers in the comments below. We know he will be rescued. (Has anyone seen the film?)
Ladies, this is perhaps the first novel I’ve read in a hurry because I wanted to get it over with. This is not a reflection on the skill or artistry of the writer, but the subject matter. (Though I do think he loses narrative drive towards the end.) As we know, I get impatient when the plot becomes fantasy, especially when I fail to see what the point is. This is clearly my problem and not the writer’s. (In my defence, I love Aesop’s Fables as a child.) But the bloodthirstiness of some of the descriptions was totally unnecessary. Why the zebra had to take days to die I’m not sure. I can understand why the killing of turtles and fish was provided in such awful detail, and Pi’s descent into eating like the tiger is convincing. But we know that human beings will adopt the behaviour of animals in the absence of other role models (Victor the Wolf Boy, for example).
The cannibalism of the second account, though, seemed totally unnecessary. Was the author trying to tell us that we would sooner believe the tale of man’s inhumanity to man than that a tiger could be subdued? I’m not sure he was, given that the investigators preferred the tiger story. If he was trying to say that in desperate circumstances man would eat man, then we know that already, too (the Uruguayan rugby team in the Andes).
I enjoyed much of what was said about animals in zoos and their relationship to man, and though Pi’s excursions into three religions seemed an unconvincing vehicle for religious discussion, they were amusing and sometimes enlightening. But I’m lucky enough to have lived in societies/families of all three backgrounds, so the book did not change my attitude to religion. The earlier part of the book, though, does provide a useful background for the events/discussions which come later.
I do think there’s a relationship between religion and story telling. We have used stories to make sense of the world around us, and some of those stories have become the basis of religious systems. Some stories also provide a moral framework or basis for societies’ laws. It has to be said, though, that some are no longer relevant to today (“The Red Tent” gives us an example, I think. Have we discussed this before?) I really enjoyed religious studies as a child. Like history, it was a series of good stories.
The way Richard Parker got his name was wonderful, and so realistic. The fact he was a dangerous animal was essential to the story line as the need to maintain authority was one of the aspects of life on the lifeboat which kept Pi occupied, distracted from hopelessness. A hyena may have been less likely to accept territorial rights, and Orange Juice was too human. The injured zebra would have been unlikely to survive though, as I said earlier, it survived too long anyway. If I were on a lifeboat with an animal, I certainly would not want a wild one with me. I’d sooner have dolphins beside me, guiding me to land.
All-in-all, there were interesting aspects, but the writer’s descriptive powers and flights of fantasy were too powerful for my peace of mind. This probably means his literary skills deserved the Booker Prize he won.
Hello there! I'm writing early so I do not forget anything I've read already. I may have spoiled some things if you haven't finished Nancy!
ReplyDeleteSue, thank you for your inquiry. The good news is that the baby is doing well. The shameful news is that I don't much care for this whole pregnancy thing(haha). I constantly remind myself that I've only got 20weeks to go. Franklin and I watched the movie last evening. I found it to be quite accurate to the novel, only a few Hollywood liberties. Franklin didn't really care for it. I think Franklin is more like you, Sue. It was too fantastical for him.
I truly believed this novel would be more difficult to read. Between the harshness of solitude with dire circumstances and the promises of spiritual enlightenment, I was anticipating a much more mentally demanding read. On some more challenging novels, I get caught in a section of tale and cannot get pass it without some time away from the book. I did not run into that problem here. This read pretty quickly and easily. I found many moments of Pi's adventure so hopeless despite knowing that he would eventually be rescued. I suppose that this made the novel a little hard to read sometimes but not too difficult.
To the first question, I did not even find the tale to be very spiritual. Yes, Pi had a great appreciation for the awesomeness of the sea. He always viewed the world as God's creation. God was in everything he looked at. I noticed a few moments of Deus Ex Machine in Martel's novel such as the fortuitous arrival of a particular fish or the appearance of the island. Short of these moments, I found very little presence of "God". I guess the spiritual element comes in the fact that Pi never loses his faith. This is hard to fathom especially after reading the second story. On a whole from this novel, I do not believe in God any more or less upon completing it.
With the second question there is no doubt, to me, that story telling is religion. We are told "stories" about how various deities came to be or how our existence was formed. In the ancient world, people told stories to explain the things that did not make sense and these in turn became a part of their religions. The Greeks, for example, attributed the presence f mountains and volcanoes to the titans, and the names of continents to faithless gods and unsuspecting maidens. (Poor Europa!)
I don't know that a zebra, injured or not, would have survived. I do not know that I have ever heard of an herbivore, even when starving, eating meat. Since fish was the only available resource, the zebra would have been forced to eat this or starve. The other two animals I think would have survived as orangutans are omnivores and hyenas carnivores. Orange Juice would have made for a mellower traveling companion. And I believe Pi would have been able to tame the hyena too. They said the hyena was not one of the alpha females of the pack, so the animal would have been use to being a subordinate. As with the zebra, I do not know if any herbivore would have survived on such a limited diet. Any omnivore or carnivore would probably have survived fine. However, would a novel featuring a boy on a boat with an opossum or badger have caught the attention of so many readers? The tiger is a beautiful, fearsome, strong animal. Would I like to be stuck on a boat with a tiger? No. I'd prefer Orange Juice, as I said she'd probably make for an easier traveling companion.
The description of the hyena eating the zebra and of Pi eating the turtles, birds, and fish made my ever present nausea so much worse. It was to me the worst part of this whole novel. While I can understand the author's need to show us that Pi becomes as savage as a tiger, I think there is a limit on the amount of meal times that we need to be privy too.
(Couldn't fit it all onto one post)
DeleteSue, what did you think of the island? That portion of the story, in my opinion, was the most fanatical. Di d you find that to be the hardest to get through? How did you feel about the island, Nancy? Did you, as I did, think it was a necessary godsend despite its dark secret?
I look forward to your thoughts.
You deserve an award, Katie, reading so many gruesome descriptions whilst feeling nauseous. Wonderful comment you make about how many mealtimes we really needed to witness. I hope that as your pregnancy continues you feel less sick. Never having gone through the whole pregnancy thing, I can only admire you. Even if you are not enjoying it (do many people?) you're obviously doing all the right things - so good to know the baby is doing well. Franklin must be really excited.
ReplyDeleteI had not thought about the animals' diet. Of course, you are right: very few land-based animals would have survived on a diet of fish anyway. With regard to the island: apart from the sheer joy of getting off the boat and the opportunity for the writer to describe a different setting (or was he told he needed to lengthen the novel?) I don't know what the point was. That dangers lurk in every setting? Huge areas of the world cannot be dominated by human beings or tigers? There is no sudden cessation of suffering so don't expect it in this life? Religion can't explain everything? We should just accept there are in the world stranger things than we can conceive of. (I think I'm paraphrasing Shakespeare here, very badly.)
My problem as a reader is that I can't believe that fantasy has been introduced just for entertainment. It must be there to contribute to an understanding of whatever the author's concerns are. And if I can't see the purpose then I feel I'm being stupidly obtuse. Worse, perhaps the writer is not communicating clearly and I'm struggling because of the writer's lack of concern for his/her audience? So, one way or another, I Iose faith in the value of the communication. If it makes me laugh it doesn't matter so much, but once Pi has been shipwrecked, there's not much to laugh about here.
Is there a connection between the concept of Pi and the settings/events in the novel? (Geometry was never my strong point either.)
Thanks for suggesting this novel - it's clearly forcing me to think.
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteSo much has been said already about our story that I agree with. I began this novel fully expecting to love it, it seemed my kind of story and indeed I did enjoy the first part and all the wonderful descriptions of Pondicherry and the zoo animals and even Pi's forays into different religions. What surprised me most was, dare I say , the monotony of the second part, and I do believe you said it so well Katie, "how many mealtimes ?"
Yesterday I went to the coast and stood on the rocks as the Pacific Ocean broke around my feet, I stared at the horizon and felt just how far away that was, I had the security of rocks and cliff behind me, still it is an awesome sight and the power of the ocean is overwhelming. This afternoon we were hit with a big thunderstorm and torrential rain and small hail, again I stood and stared at the magnificence of nature, from my dining room door. When I was a teenager I would often go to sea with my Dad in a 14ft tinny and sometimes saw those menacing fins that so terrified Pi. I have caught, killed and cleaned many fish and even a few chickens, I am well aware of where my food comes from, however I don't like it raw !!! I often feel the divine in nature.
Maybe that is why Pi let me down, I think I expected more.
The island left me bamboozled, like you Sue, I was unsure of the reason for it in the story and thought I must be missing something, especially when the author felt the need to explain the personifications of the animals in the raft in the second story, I felt this was fairly self evident and an unnecessary explanation. I was waiting to find a reason for the existence of the island in the story.
Has this novel changed my thoughts on God ? No.
Did I find it a spiritual experience ? No.
Would I like to be shipwrecked with a tiger ? Ahhhh.
Talking animal personifications pertaining to this novel, yes I would. Considering in my life I have hitched my wagon with a tiger I have to say like Pi I have found it to be an exciting choice !!!ha ha.
Katie, you are not alone in your pregnancy experience !!!! It can be tough and unpleasant sometimes,[ so can parenting!!!! ],but hang in there and be gentle on yourself.
Absolutely with you on the divine in nature, Nancy. And given the current weather, the North Sea (interestingly the German Sea on old maps) is behaving very dramatically - deep, dark colour broken by breakers out to the horizon, frighteningly powerful movement: literally takes one's breathe away - and that's just from the promenade. Thanks for the comments on fishing with your Dad, and where one's food comes from. As a child, I only went on pleasure boat trips, but one of my clearest recollections is the fury I felt as a man played an accordion on the deck. It seemed to belittle the grandeur of the sea. Poor man was probably trying to make some money.
DeleteLove the idea of Ivers as a tiger. Can't think what animal Jay most resembles - is there a mercurial animal? And you can tell he's not here, I'm rambling.
Hope the weather is calmer where you are, Nancy - we are promised freezing temperatures until Easter but the awful winds might abate a little tomorrow. Take care of yourself, Katie.
Sue, I love the sea when it is as wild as you've described.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Jay is like the dolphins you imagined swimming beside your life raft !!!!!!
They are such wonderful animals.
Katie ?
On the Monday before the official first day of spring there was snow here and the Monday after, snow. So I'm terribly unsure what mother nature is doing over here. I too am ready for warmer days.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie, the zebra scene is much more bearable. We do not have to watch Pi drink the blood of a single turtle or kill any sea birds. Franklin didn't particularly like or dislike the movie until we got to the island. Then he disliked it. haha.
Maybe the island was a way of teaching the reader that you cannot always stick to the easy path. There was food and water and shelter on the island. Why couldn't Pi live there forever? Because it would have been a sad and lonely life (i believe that's a paraphrase from movie Pi). He survived all this way and was given the option of an easy out. Instead he chose the harder path with the greater reward. With greater risks comes greater rewards.
I'm not sure what kind of animal I'd compare Franklin to. Maybe some sort of ape since they are so human-like and I cannot image Franklin anything but human.
Nancy, I'm not sure if there was some question to me in your last post? I will try and get the Professor and the Madman synopses to you before the end of the month. Unfortunately I have been involved in a very strenuous project at work.
I'm enjoying this book club very much!
Katie, my question was only about what kind of animal Franklin reminds you of !!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you are too pressed for time I will write the next post, no worries.
I was clearly having a blonde out when I ordered our next book, I now have the challenge of my first audio book !! Ivars thought it sounded interesting so we have a fun activity to enjoy together this month, yay!
Stay well, sorry to hear about the cold weather you both are experiencing, a beautiful balmy 25C here today, so sorry hehe