Life of Pi | Book Vs Movie Review | Bookosmia

Today’s review by young writer Mitul Hariyani from Vadodara is of Life of Pi, a Canadian philosophical novel by Yann Martel based on the life of a young Indian boy.

Mitul Hariyani is a 14-year-old, grade 9 student of Vadodara who loves to try his hand at baking and mocktails. He is an ardent fan of Formula 1 racing and closely follows the sport. He is presently the Chairman of the junior wing of JCI, Baroda, and engages himself in various social causes.

Mitul goes to  Navrachana International School, Vadodara and is a student of Young Orators.

Pain. What is it? How is it felt? How can you ever determine that someone has felt pain unless you have not seen the true face of pain yourself? Here’s a review of the book along with the film, Life Of Pi by Yann Martel.

Title: Life Of Pi 

Author: Yann Martel

Published:2001

If you say that you have gone through more pain than anyone out there and you are at the place you want to be in, people will believe you ONLY IF you’re telling the truth. People who experience pain will understand the pain you went through, no matter what you do.

In my opinion, the main theme is to experience true pain. The narrator first introduces us to Pi’s tale as a story that will make you believe in God. This gives us the theme of Faith. Life of Pi is a story about struggling to survive through seemingly insurmountable odds. The shipwrecked inhabitants of the little lifeboat don’t simply accompany their fate, instead, they actively fight against it.

Life of Pi is a story within a story, within a story. The novel is framed by a (fictional) note from the author, Yann Martel, who describes how he first came to hear the fantastic tale of Piscine Molitor Patel. Within the framework of Martel’s narration is Pi’s fantastical first-person account of life on the open sea, which forms the bulk of the book. At the end of the novel, a transcript taken from an interrogation of Pi reveals the possible “true” story within that story- that there were no animals at all, and that Pi had spent those 227 days with other human survivors who all eventually perished, leaving only himself.

Movie Title- Life of Pi 

Director-Ang Lee

Writer- David Magee

Release- 2012

The movie of the book includes most of the content and ideas that this magnificence presents.

A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger. Find the rest yourselves by watching it! The casting is a superb choice for actors aptly matching each character to the tee. The choice of Suraj Sharma is a perfect match for the character of Pi. The choice for Irrfan Khan (rest in peace) has a fantastic match for the adult Pi and will forever be remembered. The visual effects especially the ones shot deep in the sea and the island that he reaches for a while, stay etched in your minds for a long time. This is a film you cannot afford to miss.

I never want to forget this book ever in the future. It is a highly recommended book. Life lessons are hidden in the depths of the messages given out in this book. And consider this as a book for you to read over and over again.

It is suited for all age groups above 13years and may be read multiple times as each stage of your life may bring out different perspectives of this book and film. I would rate this 4 out of 5 and is a must watch!!