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Life of Pi
Yann Martel. Harvest Books: 2003 (paperback). ISBN: 0156027321. 336 pages.
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About the Author
A page of detailed biographical information on Life of Pi, including excerpts from interviews in which Martel interprets his own work.
Learn about the short-lived controversy surrounding Martel's alleged "plagiarism" of Brazilian writer Moacyr Scliar's 1981 novel Max and the Cats.
Character Tree
A list of major characters and their dominant characteristics and values, showing characters’ relationships to each other.
The characters in this novel are intriguing for reasons we won't give away here - you'll have to read the end of the story and decide for yourself just who exactly is in the lifeboat with Pi.
Streams of Themes
A breakdown of potential major discussion themes in Life of Pi, including ways these themes are interconnected.
From that age-old story of a lone man lost at sea to the problem of Richard Parker, the themes in Life of Pi challenge us to reevaluate our own understanding of faith and our perception of the "true" world around us.
Doorways to Discussion
A chronologically and thematically organized list of discussion questions, which function to explore, in a logical and thoughtful manner, the questions and possibilities that Life of Pi evokes.
Some of the most moving (and disturbing) moments surround the "minor" characters from the beginning of the novel. Here's an example of the questions that fill this section: "Consider Pi's short-term shipmates, the zebra, the hyena, and Orange Juice. How does each animal come to be on the lifeboat? How do they interact with each other and with Pi? How does Pi feel about each of the animals?"
All in the Family
A synopsis of the literary traditions and genres with which Life of Pi is affiliated and a brief explanation of these connections, giving your book group the opportunity to understand Martel’s novel in a larger literary perspective.
Think back to math classes of long ago, when you learned pi = 33.141592. In this section, you'll discover why Martel named his hero after what he calls an "irrational number. . .[that] goes on forever with no discernable pattern."
Talk Back to the Critics
Excerpts of some major critical reviews of Life of Pi from authoritative journals, newspapers, and magazines. We encourage your book group to enjoy the opportunity to argue with expert opinion.
One critic argues that "If Canadian writer Yann Martel were a preacher, he'd be charismatic, funny and convert all the nonbelievers." Another disagrees, claiming that "it's hard not to bristle with the skepticism that comes from having weathered a hard sell for the Lord." We'll let you decide.
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