Although I didn’t realize it at the time I started my reading addiction with books that had already been turned into movies or were going to be released as movies. Movies were a cornerstone of my life because I loved the way they sucked you into the life of its characters, and in return gave you insight into your own life. Life of Pi was one of those movies that I never actually watched. Still haven’t. But I knew it was critically acclaimed so when I saw it was a book I scooped it up, like water to the thirsty lips of a boy lost at sea. I thought it was going to be more about the conflicts between man and beast. Maybe some action. Maybe not. I really didn’t know. What I found was that this story was all about man’s will to survive based on spiritual beliefs that bind us to this earth stronger than any life raft could. The symbolism of Pi’s situation and the obstacles he is faced with are all very difficult. Imagining myself in that situation I probably wouldn’t even last one hour. Add a tiger? I’m dead in five minutes tops. But the religious beliefs that ground this young boy, and how he pushes against these beliefs in times of hardship are paramount to his survival. And without giving any spoilers away the ending is so powerful that it makes this such a cathartic book that honestly feels too real to be fiction. I had to triple check if this was based on real events. It is not. But it sure as hell feels realer than any story I’ve ever read.