"Life of Pi"

Book Review # 116971

English > Analysis
Literature > Canadian

"Life of Pi"

An analysis of why Yann Martel's "Life of Pi" was a literary success.

1,794 words () | 13 sources | APA | 2009 Australia

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel is considered a literacy success in many ways. The paper examines the factors that led to the book's success: the language and writing style used, the marketing of the book, the authors influence and also the depth and substance of the story.

From the Paper:

"There is also the powerful imagery, use of metaphors, expressive language and a sense of culture within religion, faith, art and life. Yann Martel states that the idea of a religious boy in a lifeboat with a wild animal struck me as a perfect metaphor for the human condition. The characters have a great depth and are round with a lot of substance. The reader is taken into Pi's world completely and shown his history from his upbringing at the zoo to his exploration of religion and finding God in three different religions, to adventures at sea and finally returning to Canada to study at University. This book is defined as modern literature yet considered to be popular and accessible to all. This type of book is described by Helen Elliott as reading a better than average book that might be good for the mind as well as entertaining... Brain food, if you like, as opposed to the candy offered by most over novels."

Sample of Sources Used:

Kean, D (2001) How to be a bestseller The Guardian http://books.guardian.co.uk/print/o,3858,4233311-108853,00.html
800 CEO Read 2009 http://800ceoread.com/book/show/9780151013838
Claire Matthews, cited in Matthews N & Moody N. 2007 Judging a Book by Its cover, Macquarie University, Aldershot, Ashgate pg 71
Douglas K 2001 Blurbing biographical: Authorship and Autobiography Biographical Research Centre
Matthews N & Moody N. 2007 Judging a Book by Its cover, Macquarie University, Aldershot, Ashgate pg x