Navigating the Afterlife

One of my favorite books is Yann Martel's Life of Pi. Something about the way he tells such a fantastical story and makes it so believable and lifelike really stuck with me after reading the book. It's one of only a handful of books that I've bothered to read multiple times. Somehow I have yet to tire hearing of Pondicherry Zoo, the Tzimtzum, the floating island, and, of course, Richard Parker. So when I saw a Yann Martel book that I had not read I couldn't resist buying it. It may have taken over a year for me to get to reading it, but here we are at long last. Beatrice and Virgil - Martel's third novel and my second book for the year.

This is an odd book. There are no chapters, sections, or formal breaks. The cover art doesn't reveal much of what's to come and neither does the beginning of the book. I was about a quarter of the way through when Leslie asked me what it was about. I simply had to reply that I didn't have a clue. But I wouldn't trade being lost in this book for anything - Yann Martel somehow does an amazing job talking about seemingly nothing and making it the most fascinating thing you've ever read. In Life of Pi, he talks about about animals, religion, and grade school for a good chunk of the beginning of the book. These discussions aren't necessarily essential to the story itself - the story of a boy, a lifeboat, and a Bengal tiger - but hint at the overall nature of the book and its claim that it's "a story that will make you believe in God." Martel brings his incredible ability to elevate the mundane to extravagant in Beatrice and Virgil as well. There's a good seven pages spent describing a pear - and it's one of my favorite parts of the book!

So what is this book about? Somehow, as strange as it sounds, it's about the Holocaust. Like I said, it's an odd book. But then what about the title characters, Beatrice and Virgil? What about the donkey and the monkey on the cover? What's going on here?! Well, I guess you'll just have to read it to find out.

I really enjoyed this book. Yann Martel is an author whose writing really resonates with me for some reason. I think it's because he writes how I wish I could think - smooth language, imaginative imagery, and ideas that seemingly meander about until coming together in a beautiful story. I enjoyed Life of Pi and I enjoyed this book, but if you weren't a fan of little Piscine Molitor Patel and his shipmate then this probably isn't the book for you. While less magical, the writing style of this book certainly matches that of Pi. However, if the thought of plunging into a book that's headed in an unknown direction sounds like your kind of adventure, then hop in and enjoy the twists and turns - it's a good ride.