Yann Martel

Yann Martel is a Canadian author best known for Life of Pi, a #1 international bestseller. Born in Spain in 1963, Martel studied philosophy at Trent University, worked at different jobs (from tree planter to security guard), and traveled a lot before turning to writing. Now he lives in Saskatoon, Canada, with the writer Alice Kuipers and their four children.

Among many other prizes, he is the winner of the Man Booker Prize for fiction for Life of Pi in 2002. The book has sold more than ten million copies worldwide and was published in more than 30 languages. In 2012 it was adapted into an adventure-drama film directed by Ang Lee, which won four Oscars at the 85th Academy Awards.

He is also the award-winning author of The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios (winner of the Journey Prize), Self, Beatrice & Virgil, and 101 Letters to a Prime Minister.