Focus+Assignment


 * The Life of Pi **
 * My Reaction **


 * My first thought while reading this book was “Pi has an extremely messed up life.” From the beginning of the book, Yann Martel weaves a unique, yet somehow believable story. This often conflicts with Pi personality, making him somewhat less believable, though it doesn’t have an effect on the main storyline. Pi shows a side of him that was never expected, he shows amazing courage, he shows a capacity of survival unparalleled throughout the other cast of characters. One of the most captivating things about the story, was the escalation of fundamental savagery through Pi’s mind and his actions. It’s intriguing to attempt to imagine the breaking point of a courageous human, when his will to live is totally sapped, when he has experienced horrors that no human can survive, fearful images burned permanently in to their mind’s eye. One of my favorite things portrayed in this book, is the seemingly flawless blending of antagonist, companion, and symbol, in the form of Richard Parker. From a scientific point of view, this book is just as interesting. The Life of Pi delves into the science of animalistic traits and primal adaptions, and what’s better is, it approaches this subject realistically, never straying too far off the path of reality. The ending of this book was a surprising twist, blurring the lines of fantasy and reality; a great way to end the book. If you ask me, The Life of Pi is a masterpiece, portraying the struggles of surviving in isolation perfectly, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading. **