86 pages • 2 hours read
Life of Pi
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Book Brief
460
Novel • Fiction
Pacific Ocean • 1970s
2001
Adult
16+ years
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.
Mysterious
Adventurous
Contemplative
Inspirational
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
1,681,898 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
1,681,898 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Richard Parker
Richard Parker
Richard Parker is a 450-pound Bengal tiger that accompanies Pi on a lifeboat for 227 days. His presence raises questions about nature, survival, and the balance between predictability and chaos.
Santosh Patel
Santosh Patel
Santosh Patel is Pi's father, the founder-director of the Pondicherry Zoo. He is a pragmatic man who instills a respect and fear of animals in his sons while being perplexed by Pi's religious interests.
The Author
The Author
The Author is a narrative voice in the story, possibly representing Yann Martel himself, who provides an objective viewpoint of Pi's life in Canada through narrative interludes.
460
Novel • Fiction
Pacific Ocean • 1970s
2001
Adult
16+ years
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