Life of Pi ★★★★★

Life of Pi seemed to be the more interesting read, although I am not sure what the Man Booker Prize (as it proudly announces on the cover) is. It seems like the Booker Prize for men only. Has the proliferation of women in literature become such a vital issue that the chauvinistic males had to institute their own Booker? Blissfully ignorant or stupid thoughts aside, the book was gripping contrary to most of my readers' experience here. Maybe next time, you should try reading when your hands aren't oily (sorry; couldn't resist that). In a turtle's nutshell, the book recounts the castaway experiences of Piscine Molitor Patel (interestingly named after a swimming pool) in the company of an eclectic company of zoo animals, a royal Bengal Tiger for the most part though.

The book does have a significant spiritual underbelly and royally mixes the incommensurable issues of religion and zoology, although mostly to a humorous effect. Lessons I learnt from the book mostly include me giving up on trying my beguiling charms on animals. It may work with dogs, horses and domesticated animals but animals of the wild should never be messed with. The power play that ringmasters usually employ work best at showing them - the wild cats their appropriate place and reasons mostly border on survival. But if you are willing to give this book a read, then be prepared to be grossed out and all the thoughts of being marooned at sea vanish instantly. It is a tale of survival in face of difficult odds. The will to survive surpasses all emotions; unless of course Bill Gates decides to include you in his will.

On the spiritual level, the book raises ontological arguments when Pi describes his surreal adventure on the mystic algae island. I will not spoil the surprise for you by describing the details. The bond between the tiger and Pi is based on pure utilitarian grounds and does not attempt to develop any emotional attachment highlighted effectively by their anti-climatic separation in the end. However it is not a tale that begins at sea. While laying the groundwork, Yann (the author) presents a clichéd but interesting debate on the significance of religion in your life and compulsion that society imposes on you to make a definite choice. I find it difficult to talk more about the book without revealing interesting details (spoilers) that would make discussion more interesting. But I am sure you will love the conversation between Pi and the Japs at the end of the book.

Unfortunately, for those who expected it this book does not document the life of Alpha's significant other, Pi although the resemblance is uncanny. (Sorry, Alpha I couldn't resist this either)