"That's what fiction is about, isn't it, the selective transforming of reality? The twisting of it to bring out its essence?" 
 Life of Pi is a beautiful story, and expertly crafted by Yann Martel. The writing and descriptions literally (no, jk, figuratively) transport you to that boat in the middle of the ocean. They put you in front of a tiger's eyes. And while doing so, Martel creates lots of room for some existential and religious pondering. It's not an evangelical book by any means, but it does have a way of clearing your brain for a good God-think. Which I didn't mind at all.