Rating: 
Summary: Language for its own sake, rather than plot or character
Review: Reading this book, it's easy to remember that the author is mainly a poet, not a novelist. In fact, this is perhaps closer to an epic poem than to a novel. There isn't much of a plot, and there isn't really a theme or message put forward by the author, but the prose is beautiful and a joy to read.Unlike most books, I would definitely recommend seeing the movie before reading this book. The reason is that the movie relies very much on a sense of mystery- it's told in flashback, revealing bits of the story to the viewer a bit at a time. Much of the enjoyment of the movie (it's pretty good, but Lawrence of Arabia it ain't) stems from wondering who the characters are and what events led them to where they are, and discovering the answers a piece at a time. Having read the book will spoil the mystery which is the heart of the movie. On the other hand, the book is not about plot at all- it's more a series of flowing images than a coherent storyline. The book relies on its beautiful language to entertain the reader- having seen the events in the movie doesn't really detract from that. Again, if you're expecting a rousing adventure story in this book, you will be sorely disappointed. If you take it for what it is, a vehicle for poetic language and an experiment in a different medium by a fine poet, then you will be able to really enjoy reading it.
Rating: 
Summary: Too ethereal and too dense
Review: While I count the movie as one of my favourites, I found the book The English Patient to be incoherent, too loosely drawn with some of the densest prose this side of Heart Of Darkness! Gossamer images clog the narrative leaving the reader with an impression of holding a cobweb - one is left reading nothing but air! Like A Room With A View, the movie is better than the book, and the soundtrack is worth buying as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Poetic, Touching, Haunting...
Review: It is a rare occurrence in literature when characters have as much depth as do those created in this novel. Their emotions are like open wounds and the reader feels guilty looking inside but cannot help it. A powerful and moving novel.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read
Review: I read this book while lying in bed with the flu and was positively transported to another place...It is one of the most beautifully written books I have read in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: A novel of exceptional and subtle, yet overwhelming beauty
Review: Simply put: buy the novel, read it, read it again, read it ten times. Buy the film, watch it, watch it ten times. Buy the soundtrack, listen to it... You get the picture.
Rating:
Summary: A beautifully lyrical book.
Review: No book has ever sirred up as many emotions in me as this one. The characters are tangible and imperfect souls, whose thoughts sing across the pages. A perfect meld between poetry and novel. Best line: "Words bend emotions like sticks in water."
Rating:
Summary: haunting and lyrical dream
Review: I saw the excellent film before I read the novel. If I didn't already believe that the novel is a medium superior to film, this book would have convinced me. The prose is rich and hypnotic, the characters real and original, the images haunting, and everything dovetails like one of those rare dreams that rise from sleep like the seabirth of a volcanic island. I have read a great deal, and this is as good as anything on the "classics" lists.
Rating:
Summary: Pretentious book with unintelligible plotline.
Review: While acknowledging that the prose is flowery, I much prefer direct novels with something to say. The film made some sense of it all. If you liked this book, you will like Possession, another Booker Prize winner. I say the co-winner of the Booker for this particular year was much better.
Rating:
Summary: For the first time, the film's better than the book
Review: For those of you who think that films based on books don't usually do them justice, here's an exception: while the film based on this book is perceptive, poetic and touching, the book is overly descriptive, confusing and boring. See the film; forget about the book.
Rating:
Summary: English Patient
Review: Michael Ondaatje is a novelist with a soul of a poet, who can recall with a mere sentence your own memories of pain and bring tears to your eyes. He does this by evoking memories, emotions and pain you did not reveal even to yourself. He magically transports you to that room, he brings you face to face with the reality of life and he only seems to be whispering into your ear. He will haunt you long after you have put his book down. You will read him again for his writing after you have read his book for the story. His imagination and love of beauty has few comparisons. He not only writes a wonderful story but to walk with him through his novel is a joy not easily found. Helena d'Aquino Barcia
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