Author's Note Shenanigans

Re-read the "Author's Note" on pp. vii - xii.  Make a connection between what Martel writes here and the novel itself.  I'm not talking mere plot details here, of course--let's play with some meaningful connections.

For example, (and you can address this specifically if you like)  why do you think Martel sets us up as readers to believe that Pi is an actual human being actually living in Canada whom Martel actually visited?

(hint for a direction to go:  "legs of reason")