Life of Pi Review

Life of Pi Review

Jack Gorman                                                                                                                          

Rating: ****                                                                                                                                    

Life of Pi is an enthralling literary masterpiece by Canadian author Yann Martel. It incorporates a young boy named Pi, who is caught up in the sinking of a large cargo ship. He narrowly escapes death, only to find himself on a lifeboat with one other passenger; a large tiger. Pi implements basic survival skills and knowledge of the outdoor to stay alive. He is faced with many dire situations. The tiger on his lifeboat obviously poses a big threat, however he is troubled further by the weather and exposure. Since Pi is aware that exposure will kill him much easier than the tiger who remains passive under a tarp on the boat, he focuses firstly on protecting himself from the sun and other exposure. He uses supplies on the boat to make a sun hat, and does his best to cover himself. Then, he moves to his next biggest threat; the tiger. To solve this problem, he creates a makeshift raft and ties it to the main lifeboat, so he is isolated from the tiger. In the book, he references how important it is to have a basic knowledge of knots and lashings, as he uses them to create the raft that saves his life. Eventually, thanks to being well informed on the subject of the great outdoors, he reaches land and receives medical care.

I enjoyed reading this novel, and would not take the time I spent doing so back if I had the chance. The novel was gripping from beginning to end, and despite the cliché, I found the book hard to put down. If  I had to rate the novel, I would rate it 4/5 stars. The reason I would not give it 5/5 stars is because the portion at the beginning of the plot, before the ship sinks and the survival situation begins, is very dry and lengthy. However, as soon as the plot thickens, it becomes much more interesting and enjoyable to read.

This book is very relevant in terms of Outdoor Education, as the plot is essentially a survival situation. Yann Martel shows readers the importance that even the most basic understanding of survival skills can have. If Pi was put in this situation and he lacked this knowledge, the outcome likely would have been very different. He would perish, likely by way of exposure to the sun or the cold, or by becoming a victim of sharks, or the tiger.

I would recommend this book to a friend, and I recommend you read it yourself. It has an enticing plot that you will find your mind wandering back to throughout your day. It also teaches readers about the value that even an understanding of knots and lashings can have. You never know when you’ll need it, and like Pi, it could help you out in dire circumstances.

Martel, Yann. Life of Pi. Toronto: Knopf Canada, 2001. Print.