It is rather seldom that one who appreciates good literature is able to stumble upon anything worth while in today’s market of new-age jargon.  I find that many of the books now published are full of satirical nonsense, which do not entice neither humor nor knowledge. However, after reading Life of Pi, then reading it again (because it was just that inspirational) I was taken back by this short read – with its descriptive writing style, excellent portrayal of characters, and intriguing plot. Life of Pi proved to not only be a good read, but a great source for inspiration.

The plot revolves around 16yr old God-loving Pi Patel, a young Indian boy whose father working as a zookeeper, decides to relocate the family across the Atlantic to Canada.  Through unforeseen circumstances, while on the voyage, Pi ends up finding himself in a lifeboat, his neighbors being a hyena, a wounded zebra and a Bengal tiger. But the interesting part of the story is in its beginning; the development of young Pi before his travels. Martel does a fantastic job of creating the loving, yet confused character of Pi.  As  child, and later as adult Pi practices not just one religion, but many.  He practices Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. Interestingly, it is love for God in general that allows him to break the many barriers of religion; leaving him to believe that no matter the religion, love of God and for God is completely universal. As the plot progresses, the reader is completely engrossed in the working of the story; however upon completing the novel, and partaking in the inevitable twist and turns Martel hides within dialogue, leave the reader wanting to read again, for there is a deeper message than first realized.

What I learned from this book is that we should all rid ourselves of our barriers and learn to accept that we are in fact humans.  That our claim and purpose in life should be to just progress the one individual; ergo ourselves; but humanity itself.  It left me thinking; am on this earth for my own benefit? Am I an island or do I exist as one part of a whole? After multiple readings, brought upon not just by curiosity and need to answer these questions, but also because the plot is very, very compelling, I certainly came to the conclusion that when we are left to our own wits, and all to ourselves, we wish for nothing more than the comfort of another human. As a species, we are alone, and we seek nothing other than the comfort of another species similar to ours.  Why waster our time fighting the one thing that can relate to? Humanity.