There once was an Indian boy named Pi (short for Piscine Molitor Patel). He is the son of a zoo keeper in Pondicherry. Even though his parents are fairly secular, he is vaguely Hindu. By accident he wanders into a Christian church and after talking with a priest he becomes a Christian. A similar accident brings him in contact with a Muslim baker as he says his prayers. He's overcome with admiration and adds Islam to his life. He is a boy for whom faith and the beauty of the religious mystery is very important.
His family leaves India for a better life in Canada. Some of the animals are shipped along with them. The ship sinks and Pi ends up in a lifeboat with some of the animals. The most notable of his shipmates is an adult Bengal tiger. He is alone in the middle of the Pacific with one of the largest predators in the world.
What follows is a tale of survival. Can the boy get rid of the tiger? The tiger is a better swimmer than he is so he can't just trick him out of the boat. He doesn't really have the tools to attack him. He has limited tools for finding food for himself. Almost no tools for providing shelter for himself. Or communicate. Or navigate. How can he possibly survive?
The true crux of the story is one of faith, however. Life is filled with beautiful mysteries and the question is which of those can we believe. This book argues for the most beautiful and away from doubt. It tells a wonder filled story and will leave you asking questions of yourself. It's a wonderful book.
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