Life of Pi
by Yann Martel
Fiction, Fantasy, Classics, Adventure, Contemporary, Magical-Realism, Novels
Life of Pi is a fantasy adventure novel by Yann Martel published in 2001. The protagonist, Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel, a Tamil boy from Pondicherry, explores issues of spirituality and practicality from an early age. He survives 227 days after a shipwreck while stranded on a boat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
Recommendations from Common Sense Media
Age Recommendation: 16+
What Parents Need to Know:
Parents need to know that Yann Martel’s novel Life of Pi is the story an Indian zookeeper’s son, who survives a shipwreck. Though Pi generally describes his many days at sea as monotonous, he also describes the sexual behavior of zoo animals and relates tales of danger and survival with great tension, using elaborate detail to describe wild animals killing and eating each other and humans killing and eating animals. The novel also includes acts of murder and cannibalism. This is a gory book, no question, and not recommended for the squeamish. Parents might also note that Pi forms his own belief system from the teachings of the Catholic, Hindu, and Muslim religions, saying that he simply wants to “love God.”
Educational Value: 3/5
Pi, the main character of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, shares a wealth of detailed information on a variety of topics: zookeeping, animal behavior, survival techniques, and religious beliefs and practices of Catholics, Muslims, and Hindi. However, Pi is a somewhat unreliable narrator, and a lot of what he explains about wild animals falls into the “Don’t try this at home” category.
Positive Messages: 4/5
The strongest message of Yann Martel’s unusual novel is one of survival and the value of life. Though Pi, a lifelong vegetarian, must kill all manner of creatures to survive, the author never treats these events lightly. Pi is ever driven by his will to live and his inclusive, multi-religious love of God.
Positive Role Models: 3/5
In Part 1 of Life of Pi, young Pi is guided by his parents and three religious teachers. His father uses a fairly shocking method to teach his sons to respect wild animals, but his motives are well-intentioned. Pi’s mother is affectionate and protective. Pi gets to know a Catholic priest as well as leaders in the Hindu and Muslim faiths. He is moved by all of their teachings, and incorporates ideas from all three religions into his own belief system. Pi is also close to some of his schoolteachers, from whom he learns valuable academic and life lessons.
Violence & Scariness: 5/5
Whether or not Pi’s survival stories are to be believed, they are extremely violent and graphic. The narrator uses elaborate detail to describe wild animals killing and eating each other, and humans killing and eating animals. The book also includes acts of murder and cannibalism.
Sex, Romance & Nudity: 1/5
Early in the book, Pi describes the sexual behavior of zoo animals.
Language: 1/5
Pi, whose real name is Piscine (the French word for swimming pool), is teased by other children, who call him “Pissing.”
Products & Purchases: n/a
n/a
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking: 1/5
Pi says that some crew members aboard the cargo ship have been drinking alcohol.
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