The Importance of Storytelling
Explanation: Life of Pi is a story within a story within a story. The novel is framed by a (fictional) note from the author, Yann Martel, who describes how he first came to hear the fantastic tale of Piscine Molitor Patel.
Following the publication of his international bestseller, this question was on the tip of everyone's tongue. On the interview circuit, in face-to-face appearances in libraries, universities, and bookstores, as well as online in chat sessions and blog post comment threads, Martel discussed his influences, sources of inspiration, and all the hard work that had gone into transforming the seed into a full-fledged novel.
Martel also outlines the novel's evolution in the author's note. He reveals the books that had influenced him, the globe-trotting journey that inspired him, and the hard work it took to put those experiences into words. The story behind the formation of the book shows Martel's deeply philosophical mind, his inquisitive spirit, and his poetic imagination.
Influence
Martel reminisces about the first spark of inspiration for his novel: a chance encounter way back in 1990. He vividly remembers reading a review of a Portuguese book that had just been translated and become newly available in English: Max and the Cats (1981) by Moacyr Scliar. The critic, prolific American writer John Updike, wasn't much of a fan of this novel. His review panned Max and the Cats.
Updike also included a general description of the plot in his review. Sclair's novel follows Max, a 21-year-old Jewish boy. In 1933 Berlin, Max has an affair with a married woman and is subsequently forced to flee the country. Max boards a ship bound for Brazil. But when the ship sinks in the Atlantic Ocean, Max ends up in a life raft with a panther.
Updike's negative review didn't inspire Martel to read Max and the Cats. What struck Martel was the novel's premise, the kernel or seed behind a story, its essential plot. It was beautifully simplistic, stark, and compelling. Martel never got around to reading Max and the Cats. But its central idea stuck with him.
Inspiration
At 33, he found himself descending into a not-so-midlife emotional crisis. His first two novels had flopped. He remembers this period of his life as an intense struggle, full of restlessness and despondency.
He had the seed for an historical novel in mind, set in Portugal in 1939. But writer's block had overwhelmed him. The idea withered and disintegrated in a pile of crumpled notes. It felt forced and dry, 'a lifeless and wordy construct'. In his Author's Note, Martel recalls, 'The discovery is something soul-destroying, I tell you.'
Revelation
It's funny how life sometimes takes us in unexpected directions. In 1997, Martel traveled to India in search of inspiration. He wandered aimlessly across India.
From the elevation of Matheran, a small town outside of Bombay, visitors have a remarkable view. From the train station, you can see the big city in all its glory, amid the surrounding plains.
Martel reminisces fondly on the time he spent in Bombay (the city changed its name to Mumbai in 1995, but Martel still refers to it by its old name). Maybe it was culture shock. Or else the unbelievable beauty of the land and its people. The experience of backpacking across India was certainly a life-changing one for Martel. India forced him to come to terms with his Western upbringing: religion, animals, family, and community were all up for grabs.
In contrast to his secular, capitalist upbringing in Canada, Martel now came in contact with a profoundly different perspective on life. Indian society and religion opened his eyes to the immense cultural value of art, the political significance of citizenship and, above all, the emotional and spiritual value of religion.
PS: Yes, I acknowledge that it's too much to read but I hope it helps. :)
