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eviejayne 's review for:
Anil's Ghost
by Michael Ondaatje
Set text for university
Forensic-specialist Anil returns to Sri Lanka, her homeland, to examine archaeological remains and discovers the bones of a victim found in a government-protected area. With the help of her investigation partner Sarath, Anil is determined to establish the corpse as a victim of government forces.
Having been away for 15 years living in Europe and North America, Anil has returned to a country now ravaged by civil war, murderous conflict, mass disappearances of innocent people and mutilated corpses appearing across the worn-torn land. As a result, memories of her youth clash with what lays before her.
Anil as a character wasn’t particularly interesting, but rather, functioned as a narrative device to explore the relationship we have with our pasts and the suffering caused by war. I also found it harder to enjoy due to the fragmented narrative; recounting different memories, offering different perspectives. Although, I was moved by the insight into Gamini’s background: a doctor incapable of sleep, snatching a quick doze on the hospital ward when possible and unable to find peace anywhere else.
Anil’s Ghost evolves slowly, unveils characters' hidden truths, unlocks the hidden past, and takes us on a tiresome, evocative journey through a maelstrom of civil war.
Forensic-specialist Anil returns to Sri Lanka, her homeland, to examine archaeological remains and discovers the bones of a victim found in a government-protected area. With the help of her investigation partner Sarath, Anil is determined to establish the corpse as a victim of government forces.
Having been away for 15 years living in Europe and North America, Anil has returned to a country now ravaged by civil war, murderous conflict, mass disappearances of innocent people and mutilated corpses appearing across the worn-torn land. As a result, memories of her youth clash with what lays before her.
Anil as a character wasn’t particularly interesting, but rather, functioned as a narrative device to explore the relationship we have with our pasts and the suffering caused by war. I also found it harder to enjoy due to the fragmented narrative; recounting different memories, offering different perspectives. Although, I was moved by the insight into Gamini’s background: a doctor incapable of sleep, snatching a quick doze on the hospital ward when possible and unable to find peace anywhere else.
Anil’s Ghost evolves slowly, unveils characters' hidden truths, unlocks the hidden past, and takes us on a tiresome, evocative journey through a maelstrom of civil war.