Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
I am surprised that i really enjoyed this book. It had lots of great stories within the story and great characters.
Ondaatje definitely has a way with words. His writing is engaging and at times lyrical. I was disappointed in this story however, finding it to be rather disjointed. At times I had difficulty following the storyline, unsure of the chronological order of certain events. I also was unsure of the reason some events were included in the story, as they appeared unelated to the story of Michael and his travels. I felt that the story was incomplete in terms of the relationships Michael formed with his fellow passengers.
Another Giller Award nominee. It was great. It started as the story of a young boy's journey to England from India by boat, and the friends he made and people he met, and then continued on to him as an adult. I didn't find that the scenes of him as an adult had the same ability to keep my interest - they seemed a little unfocused or maybe incomplete. But seeing the passengers and activities on the ship through the eyes of a 10-year-old (I think) was very interesting.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really loved this book - so much going on.
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read more than half but got bored. He writes well but does not interest me.
I finished Michael Ondaatje's "The Cat's Table" today. Gorgeous. He's an absolute master of prose, imo. Though he writes that the book is fiction, it reads almost as a mix of an autobiographical remembrance of a series of events (centered around a ship voyage from Ceylon to Britain when the protagonist is 11yo) & musings on how seemingly small events, chance encounters, & memories can alter the path of one's life. Part seems so real, so grounded in reality, yet much of the writing has the dreamy, hazy quality of memories from a long time ago, where you might wonder if you're remembering something as it happened or as you think or wanted it to happen. Some scathingly funny sections had me chuckling, while other sections were more somber & serious & had me musing....
Also, all through reading it, I kept thinking that if I could have someone who would write my diaries for me, capture a myriad of fleeting moments, I'd want Michael Ondaatje to be the one writing mine. (It doesn't matter that I don't keep a diary or a journal, or that it would be strange to have someone else putting my memories on paper through a mind meld or something; I would just want him writing, burnishing, perfecting these little life mosaics of mine.)
I will make note that I read his book "The English Patient" many years ago. While I adored his prose in that book, I didn't care for the story itself (at all). I'm so glad I gave him another try because I was just transported & blown away by "The Cat's Table". Loved it.
Gorgeous, luscious, & highly recommended.
Also, all through reading it, I kept thinking that if I could have someone who would write my diaries for me, capture a myriad of fleeting moments, I'd want Michael Ondaatje to be the one writing mine. (It doesn't matter that I don't keep a diary or a journal, or that it would be strange to have someone else putting my memories on paper through a mind meld or something; I would just want him writing, burnishing, perfecting these little life mosaics of mine.)
I will make note that I read his book "The English Patient" many years ago. While I adored his prose in that book, I didn't care for the story itself (at all). I'm so glad I gave him another try because I was just transported & blown away by "The Cat's Table". Loved it.
Gorgeous, luscious, & highly recommended.
Exceptionally readable coming of age story (and so much more than that).
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holy shit my brain could not concentrate on this audiobook at all.