February 2008 Host: Nancy

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Summary

“I have a story that will make you believe in God.,” we are told at the beginning of this book. This is the story of Pi Patel, the sixteen year old son of a zookeeper who grew up in India. Pi enthusiastically (and to everyone’s concern) studies and begins practicing three different religions, Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism. It is this precociousness that will eventually serve to Pi’s advantage. The father decides to pick up and start a new life in Canada. The family and all of the zoo animals are loaded onto a giant freighter, which later sinks. Pi, the sole human survivor, ends up in a lifeboat with a 450 pound Bengal tiger, a hyena, an orangutan and a zebra. Pi Patel must use all his strength, wits, and faith to survive 227 days adrift at sea in a 26 foot raft - with one of the most deadliest animals on earth - the Bengal tiger. This book won the 2002 Man Booker Prize.

Discussion

-Everyone enjoyed the book, even though some had already read the book, it was read again - and enjoyed a second time. This is one of those rare books where a second reading is pleasurable and different reflections, metaphors, symbolism, and allegories, come to light.

-There was a lot of gore in the book, the author did not leave out any details, especially when some of the animals ripped each other apart. There was a flesh eating forest as well as descriptions of meals consisting of things such as fish eyes, cigarettes, or turtle innards.
It was felt that some of the gory descriptions were necessary to understand what lengths humans (or animals) will go to for survival.

-Certain parts of the bible are alluded to in the book such as the anti-Eden island and blindness and despair (that appears frequently in the new testament). There were many metaphors in the book - one being Pi’s struggle with his faith.

-It was a relief to read a book with absolutely no romance involved.

-There was a lot of detail put into the section on how zoos are run, however, this was necessary for understanding the eventual training of the tiger.

-This was a long book club meeting - we talked until midnight about various things besides the book - and we all wondered where the perogies were.

Menu

Vegetable Tray w/Dill Dip

Salsa Meatloaf

Broccoli Salad/Dinner Rolls

German Chocolate Cake

Dill Dip

Ingredients

½ cup sour cream
¼ cup real mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped or dried dill weed
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Chill a few hours before serving. This dip is versatile and can be served with any appetizer.

Broccoli Salad

Ingredients

Four cups small broccoli florets
1 cup raisins
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
¼ cup plain fat free yogurt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Four slices of bacon, fried and crumbled
¼ cup salted sunflower seed kernels

Whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, sugar and vinegar. Pour dressing over broccoli and raisin mixture. Chill for one hour. Add bacon and sunflower seeds before serving.

Salsa Meatloaf

1 pound each ground veal, beef, pork
½ cup thick salsa (hot or mild)
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped green peppers
1/3 cup dried bread crumbs
¼ cup finely chopped shallots
¼ cup chopped green onion (white & green parts)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. With your hands mix well, but don’t over handle the mixture or meatloaf will turn out heavy. Spread evenly in a lightly oiled 9 by 5 loaf pan. Place on baking sheet and cook in middle of oven at 350 degrees for approximately 1 ½ hours. Cool for five minutes. Drain fat and move to serving platter. Serve with more salsa.

German Chocolate Cake