'Life of Pi' author visits Korea, reflects on craft of writing

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Lifestyle

Thu, December 7, 2023 | 23:31

Books

'Life of Pi' author reflects on craft of writing

Posted : 2023-06-18 15:09

Updated : 2023-06-19 15:36

Canadian writer Yann Martel speaks during a press conference at the Embassy of Canada in central Seoul, June 13. A special edition featuring both Martel's debut novel "The Facts behind the Helsinki Roccamatios" and his globally acclaimed work, "Life of Pi" was published in Korea to commemorate the author's visit on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his literary debut and the 60th year of diplomatic ties between Canada and Korea. Yonhap

Critically acclaimed Canadian author expresses concern over politicians who don't read

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Celebrated Canadian writer Yann Martel visited Korea to mark dual milestones ― the 60th year of diplomatic ties between Canada and Korea and the 30th anniversary of his own literary debut.

This is Martel's first visit to Korea and he picked the visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as one of the most impactful experiences here as he continues to process his time spent in the country.

"My son and I visited the DMZ and that was a bit of a shock. It is war tourism, a strange mixture of capitalism and tragedy where we literally got to the southern border ― the demarcation line ― and we can look into North Korea... It's this terrible, terrible scar across the Korean Peninsula that was a shock for me," he said during a press conference at the Canadian Embassy in central Seoul, Tuesday.

Martel was invited by the Canadian Embassy here to visit Korea and participated in the Seoul International Book Fair, seizing the opportunity to engage with his Korean audience.

Honoring the occasion, Jakka Jungsin Publishing in Korea launched a special edition that features both Martel's debut novel, "The Facts behind the Helsinki Roccamatios," and his globally acclaimed work, "Life of Pi." Martel expressed joy over the new release, adding that he is intrigued by the decision to bind his first book ― a selection of short stories ― with the most renowned work.

"I'm happy that this collection of short stories perhaps gets more interest now. And it's also nice to see a new edition of 'Life of Pi,'" he said.

"Life of Pi" stems from his experiences in India, particularly the open-mindedness and religious cosmopolitanism he encountered.

"While I was traveling through India, I met many people who are more completely open-minded... They tend to be very open to other expressions of the divine. They were just remarkably open and kind towards me," he said.

"There's something about that openness that struck me, that was one of the seeds for 'Life of Pi,' just being in the country."

The 59-year-old author said he finds writing "exhilarating" and it fuels him to keep writing.

"As a human being I'm getting older and hopefully maturing and getting wiser. As a writer, I've been able to get a sharper eye... (and) I'm getting more experimental. As a writer, I've been very successful for 'Life of Pi,' so I'm not really worried anymore about success. I just want to tell the stories that I want to hear, that helped me," Martel said.

"There's nothing more thrilling for me than finding a story idea that works. Because if it doesn't work, it is an anecdote... A good story idea seems extraordinarily rich. So for example, with 'Life of Pi,' this idea of a boy with a wild animal crossing the Pacific is a wonderful metaphor of life."

He hopes people who read his books will navigate life's challenges and find personal salvation.

"Sometimes when I sign books, I say may you reach the coast of Mexico. And I'm not just wishing you a holiday in Mexico, which would be very nice anyway, but it's more this idea that may you survive the crossing of the Pacific of your life and reach some sort of coast of salvation, whatever salvation may mean to you."

Martel reflected on his personal expectations of people holding positions of power and therefore a high level of accountability, especially in a democratic society.

"So whether it's the head of a government or the head of a corporation, I would like to know where they got their ideas from. For example, I would expect them to have some degree of education, some degree of work experience, but also some degree of imaginative experience. One of the best ways to get wise quickly is to read books," he said.

"You also have to be a dreamer. You have to have a vision about where you want your society to go... The more books you read, the more we learn about other people's lives and we start seeing how society is. I'm afraid of prime ministers and presidents who don't read because I figured their dreams can become my nightmares. I want people in power to read so that they have worthwhile dreams or livable dreams."

meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr