Genre Fiction Literature Livres Anglais : Life of PI

Life of PI

EUR 2,76


Some books defy categorisation: Life of Pi, the second novel from Canadian writer Yann Martel, is a case in point: just about the only thing you can say for certain about it is that it is fiercely and admirably unique. The plot, if that’s the right word, concerns the oceanic wanderings of a lost boy, the young and eager Piscine Patel of the title (Pi). After a colourful and loving upbringing in gorgeously-hued India, the Muslim-Christian-animistic Pi sets off for a fresh start in Canada. His blissful voyage is rudely interrupted when his boat is scuppered halfway across the Pacific, and he is forced to rough it in a lifeboat with a hyena, a monkey, a whingeing zebra and a tiger called Richard. That would be bad enough, but from here on things get weirder: the animals start slaughtering each other in a veritable frenzy of allegorical bloodlust, until Richard the tiger and Pi are left alone to wander the wastes of ocean, with plenty of time to ponder their fate, the cruelty of the gods, the best way to handle storms and the various different recipes for oothappam, scrapple and coconut yam kootu. The denouement is pleasantly neat. According to the blurb, thirtysomething Yann Martel spent long years in Alaska, India, Mexico, France, Costa Rica, Turkey and Iran, before settling in Canada. All those cultures and more have been poured into this spicy, vivacious, kinetic and very entertaining fiction. --Sean Thomas

conte pour tous - Superbe roman, rédigé comme un conte. Pour ne pas paraphraser les autres commentaires je rajouterai que cette histoire nous amène également à réfléchir sur comment nous réagissons face à un récit, quels affects sont mobilisés en nous et comment y répondons-nous? Sommes-nous prêts à entendre le récit de la réalité ou préférons-nous une allégorie ou métaphore de la réalité? En faisant un pas plus loin, qu est-ce que la réalité? De nombreux penseur s y sont cassé le nez!

Martel est un grand conteur - Ce livre raconte le voyage extraordinaire de Pi tout en posant des questions philosophiques sur la religion/ croyance entre autres mais sans tomber dans le registre des allégories simples. Ce roman ambitieux est destiné à devenir un classique. Le style est agréable et surtout facile d accès, nous documentant sur de nombreux thèmes. Son originalité réside également sur le foisonnement de niveaux de lecture, offrant ainsi à chacun la possibilité de choisir la sienne. I Also recommende--The Quest de Giorgio Kostantinos. Superbe.

Incredible story - The sheer number of views posted on this title and the publicity it has generated tells a lot about what should be expected from the story. It is catching. This is one of the best works of fiction that my eyes have roved through and which my mind has appreciated. I like Martel s poetic style of writing, his plot and the vivid descriptions he gave of things , characters and events results the story. I was so caught up by the book that I was unable to put it down until the last page. In the end, I saw The Life of Pi become so popular. Any reader who knows a good story may think he/or she is starting this book at a stroll but would be surprised to end it at a compelling rush. The story is completely captivating, fast-paced, thrilling, inspiring, shocking and hilarious. I smiled, sighed, laughed and even wiped a tear while reading this book.Also recommended: DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE , THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN

Best Read of 2003 - I was offered this last year before it won the Booker prize. I don t unsually go chasing after Prize-winner s but this is a truly exceptional book. Hovering between fantasy and biography, madness and rationality, dreaming and awakening the reader is literally bowled over in waves of emotion ranging from love, grief, joy, hope, despair, humour, all set on a small boat in the middle of the ocean with only bengal tiger for company. (I read this morning that there are only about 500 of this species left in the world. Perhaps some of the takings for the book could go towards their preservation?) Anyway, it s definitely not one to miss out on. I just wish I could read it again for the first time!!

Un livre plein d humanité - Martel est un grand conteur. Ce livre raconte le voyage extraordinaire de Pi tout en posant des questions philosophiques sur la religion/ croyance entre autres mais sans tomber dans le registre des allégories simples. Ce roman ambitieux est destiné à devenir un classique. Le style est agréable et surtout facile d accès, nous documentant sur de nombreux thèmes. Son originalité réside également sur le foisonnement de niveaux de lecture, offrant ainsi à chacun la possibilité de choisir la sienne. A lire et à relire.




Life of PI