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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
Loved it. Beautiful, poetic, interesting characters and yes, even a bit of a plot (not always this author's strong suit). This is my favourite by Ondaatje so far.
I read this for the book discussion group, during the time I was neglecting to log my reads; was just reminded of it today. It has a very strong narrative/authorial voice, and takes the reader to exotic places.
This is the third book I've read by Michael Ondaatje and it did not disappoint. His writing style is so fluid and calming. This book was a great coming-of-age story of a boy named Michael on his 21 day journey from Sri Lanka to England. It makes me wonder what it would be ben like to be unaccompanied for that long at 11...
"There is a story, always ahead of you. Barely existing. Only gradually do you attach yourself to it and feed it. You discover the carapace that will contain and test your character. You find in this way the path of your life."
8.25/10
"There is a story, always ahead of you. Barely existing. Only gradually do you attach yourself to it and feed it. You discover the carapace that will contain and test your character. You find in this way the path of your life."
8.25/10
Enjoyed a lot more than many of Ondaatje's books. Funny and interesting. A near five star book, but I found something visceral missing.
This one is going into the 'to be donated' pile. I thought it was a great start but didn't peak my interest after about 1/ 2 way through had no real interest in finishing but did so just because
this is a slow book, but very vivid and has a cool plot that unfolds. another great ensemble book. ondaatje can write characters better in a couple pages than most authors do in a whole book
Wonderful book. Eager to read it again. Looking forward to hosting Michael Ondaatje in March 2012 for the MacEwan Book of the Year. We'll have 41 different classes reading that book in the Winter semester and a big gala reading to which everyone is invited.
This is the first book of Ondaatje's that I've read - I think I should read more of him. On the surface, it's the story of a young boy journeying from Sri Lanka to England on board a steamship, and the relationships he builds with the other characters at the dining hall's Cat's Table. The book accomplished much more than that, however, by investigating the transience of these kinds of relationships, the friends who stay and those who don't, and the tricky nature of childhood memories.
Given that I didn't know much about him, while I was reading I wasn't sure whether this was a work of fiction or a memoir. I enjoyed not knowing - it made me realize that, were I ever to even consider writing a memoir (for god knows what reason), I would like it to be at least half as artful, beautiful, and readable as this book.
Given that I didn't know much about him, while I was reading I wasn't sure whether this was a work of fiction or a memoir. I enjoyed not knowing - it made me realize that, were I ever to even consider writing a memoir (for god knows what reason), I would like it to be at least half as artful, beautiful, and readable as this book.
A very strange and interesting book. I would have loved to find out more about the other people at the Cat's Table than we did, but the bits and pieces we got were strange and fascinating.