Life of Pi won the booker prize in 2002, which, sadly, made me nervous about picking it up lest it turn out to be another brilliantly written ramble in need of a plot. When I read this passage I got a sinking feeling the book was going turn into one long boring theological lecture:
The truth of life is that Brahman is no different from atman, the spiritual force within us, what you might call the soul. The individual soul touches upon the world soul like a well reaches for the water table. That which sustains the universe beyond thought and language, and that which is at the core of us and struggles for expression, is the same thing. The finite within the infinite, the infinite within the finite. If you ask me how Brahman and atman relate precisely, I would...
*yawn*. Thankfully the story takes a very sudden and unexpected turn, and is a great read. Pi's interest and connection with the zoo and animals is interesting, makes for great tales, and is a continuing theme through the whole book. I loved the animal psychology and how Pi reasons out his strategy for living in a lifeboat with 'Richard Parker' the Bengal tiger. I also have to admit to being fascinated by the survival equipment in the lifeboat and how Pi puts it to use.
The ending is quite a shock, and very thought provoking. What is the real story? Does it matter? I liked Pi's conversation with the Japanese investigators, and his belligerent defence of the 'better story'. The implication that we should make a leap of faith (even into atheism) rather than have the 'dry, yeast-less factuality' of the agnostic is an interesting message.
4.5 stars
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