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Search - The English Patient
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The English Patient Author: |
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Book Information
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Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Hardcover
Book Description:
Michael Ondaatje's stunning novel takes place during the final moments of the Second World War. It explores the lives of four people who come together in a damaged villa in Tuscany as the war retreats around a young Canadian nurse; an enigmatic thief whose skills have made him one of the war's heroes as well as one of its casualties; a Sikh soldier in the British army; and the English patient, who lies badly burned in an upstairs room. It is his adventures and turbulent love affair in the North African desert before the war, gradually uncovered, that become the centre around which these people's past and present lives unfold.
Set mainly in Italy, this is a breathtaking story of love and passion that arcs back in time to Canada, to London during the Blitz and the intricacies of bomb disposal, and to the mysterious, often dangerous world of desert exploration. Michael Ondaatje brings his formidable poetic and narrative powers to bear on the destiny of his characters. In luminous prose, he reveals the complex impact of public conflict on private lives.
Set mainly in Italy, this is a breathtaking story of love and passion that arcs back in time to Canada, to London during the Blitz and the intricacies of bomb disposal, and to the mysterious, often dangerous world of desert exploration. Michael Ondaatje brings his formidable poetic and narrative powers to bear on the destiny of his characters. In luminous prose, he reveals the complex impact of public conflict on private lives.
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Top Member Book Reviews
Kimberley O. (
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was the book that made me decide that I'd never finish a book again that I didn't like. I read every word of this book and suffered through the whole thing. Too many good books out there to read this.
Lynn N. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read this book too many years ago to review it in depth. Found this perfect-condition copy at a thrift shop and just had to buy it to share. I love this novel. The film version does not touch the depth of the writing. The characters are rich, the situation they find themselves in unique, the storyline absorbing. If you enjoyed the film but have never read the book, don't pass this one up.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of the better books I've ever read, I read it in one afternoon-night. I saw the movie years ago and enjoyed it and think the book is spectacular. It's a story about relationships, regrets, tragedies in tormented times. Through each other, all the characters learn more about themselves. I'll be looking for other works of this author to read in the future.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Terrible. I didn’t like this at all. I guess I don’t appreciate this style of writing. I know the basics. Four people in a bombed out Italian Villa. They are a nurse, a thief, a “sapper” and the English Patient. The book is about them towards the end of the war and how they are dealing with loss, death, destruction and their lives. That’s about all I got from this. This book did not flow nicely at all. It was sparatic. One of the worst books I ever read. And I feel bad about that. I thought I was going to like it.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
A unique book about love and individual frailties. Ondaatje is a master writer that takes you on a beautiful journey.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is simply a beautiful story--the language used is outstanding.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
If you liked the movie, you will love the book. Engrossing and wonderful.
Jimmie D. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Even if you have seen the movie, the book offers pleasures all its own.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I found the movie beautiful but long and slow. On the other hand, the book was not so painfully slow because it provided many details that were lost in the movie. I wish I'd read the book first and THEN seen the movie.
Kristine W. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Watching paint dry is vastly more interesting than this utter waste of paper.
Please Rate these Book Reviews
Beautifully written, like a poem come to life. The characters capture the complexities of real people. At one point I got mad at a character and had to put the book down, that's how drawn in I was. I soon picked it back up, it's hard to resist.
Very long and wouldn't read it again. I alwasys finish a book once i start it..I didn't think I was ever going to get thru this one.
When I saw the movie several years ago, I came in half way and felt like I was lost, slow-moving but at the same time skipping between dates and countries. Now I have a better grasp of the characters and the time and the settings. Plus, the book is so poetic and brings in so much you could not meld into a movie. I will admit, it is not your usual light summer reading, but it is a great lesson on life and history. Well worth the read.
Loved the movie, hated the book. Never completely finished it!
you'll want to get snowed in when you read this book! a very passionate read!
Booker award winning novel traces four damaged lives in an Itallian Villa at the end of WWII
A truly wonderful love story. It is so interesting that infidelity is romantic.
This was made into a movie. Actually liked the movie better but don't take my opinion here. I just couldn't get into it. My friend read it and she loved it!
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