Certain levels of description fill you with awe.
Take, for example, this depiction of a hyena from Yann Martel’s Life of Pi: “Its thick neck and high shoulders that slope to the hindquarters look as if they’ve come from a discarded prototype for the giraffe, and its shaggy, coarse coat seems to have been patched together from the leftovers from creation.”
This phrase is a testament to Martel’s prowess as a writer. His descriptions of scenes, characters, and events are so vivid they feel palpable. I was fortunate to read the novel before watching the film adaptation, experiencing Martel’s storytelling in its original form.
Nothing prepared me for the story of a lifetime. Pi, the protagonist, is the son of a zookeeper in India. The fictional Pondicherry Zoo comes alive, with animals displaying traits and mannerisms that seem almost human. Martel’s writing makes you forget that zoos are run by humans, as the animals take on a life larger than mere spectacles. The novel also highlights the predatory nature of humans, particularly when they mistreat animals by feeding them harmful substances like razor blades and plastic.
The journey from India to Canada, with a zoo on board a ship called the Tsimtsum, is an adventure filled with tales of horror and resilience. From the catastrophic shipwreck and numerous deaths to surviving 227 days on a lifeboat, this epic story is about a young boy and a tiger relying on their wits, survival instincts, and hope. They endure unimaginable sores from the scorching sun, extended fatigue, and the constant fear of death by sharks and flesh-eating plants, all while subsisting on fish, human flesh, salty water, and ocean plants.
Reading Life of Pi evokes a spectrum of human emotions, from pity to horror and relief. The novel, also depicted in a film, is available on Amazon and is highly recommended for book clubs, reading pleasure, and insight into the lives of animals.
What does it teach us? That we can survive the most sordid and unimaginable circumstances if we keep our wits about us. Even when hope is nearly gone, we must use the little energy we have left to persevere, as our survival depends on it. We are indeed built to overcome the most horrific circumstances, both emotionally and physically.