Book: Life of Pi. By Yann Martel
March 20, 2008 : Permalink :
I think Life of Pi pits the Dreamer verses the Realist. As Pi states to those who don’t believe his story, “I know what you want. You want a story that won’t suprise you. That will confirm what you already know. That won’t make you see higher or further or differently.” (pg. 381)
Martel states early in the book that Pi’s story “will make you believe in God.” There is certainly plenty of religious symbolism and I think it has the potential to inspire inquiry into religion if the reader is curious and searching; but, for me, it wasn’t a make-me-believe or reaffirm-my-beliefs kind of story.
I’d summarize the religious storyline as follows: There are many ways to explain the story of our life, our love, our universe; God always makes for the better story.
I recommend this as a great fiction read.
Some of my favorite quotes:
- “[Fear] is life’s only true opponent. Only fear can defeat life.” p161
- “It is important in life to conclude things properly. Only then can you let go. Otherwise you are left with words you should have said but never did, and your heart is heavy with remorse.” p316
- “Thank you. And so it goes with God.”
- “Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe, ask any scientist. God is hard to believe, ask any believer. What is your problem with hard to believe?… If you stumble at mere believability, what are you living for?” p297
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