As it stands, creationism and evolution cannot coexist. All major religions are mutually exclusive. All existential trains of thought, whether they be based in reason or faith, find great woe in sharing their supporters with other “rival” dogmas. You have to choose your camp and discard the others, out of fear of ethical adultery. But what if it was possible to mix some of those belief systems together? What if it was possible to (using the best modern lingo possible) mash-up all these ideas, concepts, and beliefs into a single, vast perception of the world? That is what Yann Martel’s exceptional Life of Pi propounds, in the guise of one of the single most engrossing and penetrating novels I have ever read.

In a story which is one half coming-of-age tale and one half shipwreck adventure à la Robinson Crusoe, we are introduced to Pi Patel, an Indian-born son of a zookeeper, profoundly religious and an adept naturalist. Pi finds answers and understanding in the deterministic behaviour patterns which make up the very nature of animals, yet marvels at the vastness of creation and finds his footing in not one but three separate faiths. With such varied influences, one would expect Pi’s vision to be dichotomic at the very least, and yet, through the recounting of his incredible tale, we uncover a full, rich, profoundly beautiful and seamlessly intertwined world in which all visions, tangible and conceptual, harmonize for the sake of purpose, beauty, and marvel.

And in the end, we are unsuspectingly challenged to ask ourselves if we can dare to accept such a world. Does one, single vision make up for the most acceptable reality, or does a wider acceptance of perspectives make for greater harmony?

Book: Life of Pi

Author: Yann Martel

Publisher: Knopf Canada

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