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Author Biography | Interview | Books by this Author | Read-Alikes
How to pronounce Yann Martel: yarn mar-TELL (slight emphasis on second syllable)
Yann Martel is the author of Life of Pi, the international bestseller that won the 2002 Booker Prize and was adapted to the screen in the Oscar–winning film by Ang Lee. He lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
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Becky : what was your inspiration in
writing Life of Pi?
Yann Martel : Pi was inspired by two things:
India, and a so-so review I read ten years ago in the NY Times Review
of Books.
Becky : what was the review?
Yann Martel : The
review was by Updike of a Brazilian novel. He panned it, but the premise (of a
Jew in a lifeboat with a black panther in 1933) struck me.
Terri : had you visited India prior to deciding
to write the book?
Yann Martel : Terri, I've been to India three
times, each time with a backpack, dazzled by it all.
Terri : but did you go after you'd decided to
write the book?
Yann Martel : Yes.I did research the second time I was there, and then went back to clear up small
details.
desigrrl : I love the book too, but I am
confused. Why was your main character Indian when you are not an Indian
yourself?
Yann
Martel : Desigrrl, Indian because India is a place where all stories are
possible. You forget that the imagination
can take hold of anything and contemplate it and love it and describe it.
Becky : Why the three religions in your book?
sam : Good question Becky. I have a similar
one, why these 3??
Yann Martel : Becky, the three religions
because I wanted to discuss faith, not ...
Carol Birch is the author of ten novels. Jamrach's Menagerie was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, longlisted for the Orange Prize and shortlisted for the Galaxy National Book Awards. Birch won the David Higham Prize for ... (more)
If you enjoyed:
Life of Pi
Try:
Jamrach's Menagerie
by Carol Birch
Jonathan Safran Foer (born February 21, 1977) is an American novelist. He is best known for his novels Everything Is Illuminated (2002), Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2005), and for his non-fiction work Eating Animals (... (more)
If you enjoyed:
Life of Pi
Try:
Everything Is Illuminated
by Jonathan Safran Foer
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