Born in Ceylon, educated in England and Canada, where he now makes his home, Michael Ondaatje’s work includes poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. In this class we will read three of his novels – The English Patient (1992), Anil’s Ghost (2000), and Warlight (2018) – and his 1982 memoir Running in the Family. The novels, although very different, share the common theme and setting of war’s aftermath; but more than bombs, battles, and winners and losers, Ondaatje is interested in the stories of people and their wounds. His memoir, on the other hand, gives us a sense of his roots as a writer.

Members of this course should expect to read 140-150 pages before each of our eight classes, but for people who enjoy great books, the temptation will be to keep reading when an assignment is complete. Our classes will be discussion-based and text-related with gentle steering from the Study Leader.