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Summary: The English Patient
Review: What A Book!This was one of the best books I have ever read. I read it as a school project. At first it takes a little while to get into but soon it starts to pick up. I suggest reading it nice and slow so that you don't get confused.(TRUST ME!) The slower you read it the better it is, also. For me, the last two pages made the book. They made up for the confusion and frustration in the end. I have also read "In the Skin of a Lion" by Ondaatje and it is also an excellent book.
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Summary: A warm, romantic story.
Review: Oondatje conjures images and feelings that take the reader into the desert alongside the characters. I had no trouble following his writing style, but I do feel like I understood it more completely after reading it twice. One if my all time favorite books. The movie was also wonderful; it captured the rich details of the characters and locations.
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Summary: Deep and Beautiful
Review: The only flaw in this book is that there isn't much of a plot. It's an exploration of how each individual's life is affected by the war; it explores the people they were before the war and how it has changed it. In a sense they ALL are patients. They all need treatment. The writing is exquisite. Though much of the novel is difficult to get through, the writing more than makes up for it. If you are to read this book, have patience and time. Don't take it on the beach. It's cerebral. Very intelligent. And this isn't a Harlequin romance; it's one you can actually believe in. But it should be read--I think it's a very important book in CANADIAN fiction.
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Summary: A return to life
Review: I read this book when it was first published and loved it. I read it very slowly, rationing it bit by bit to make it last, the way you do when you're reading something really good, and you know you have a good friend waiting when you get back to it. The book, for me, was definately Hana's story. How she had shut down, and how her heart slowly opened again (I love stories of redemption - all kinds). The movie had a different emphasis, more on the love affair, but at the end I was deeply moved and affected.
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Summary: :)
Review: Patience is an attribute, essential for those interested in reading The English Patient. This piece of literature is difficult to follow; However, it is well worth the endeavor. Pictures are drawn by the prolific words of the author, Michael Ondaatje. The English Patient is a portrayal of life during and after World War II, through the eyes of four unique individuals. This motley quartet consists of a young, Canadian nurse; a relatively young Sikh, serving the British as a sapper (a mine-disarmer); a middle age 'thief by nature, turned spy by the war'; and a charred patient. During their time together, congregated in a deserted Italian villa, their stories unravel, revealing past circumstances, existing emotions, and unfolding ambitions. Enfolded in the plot of this fictional narrative, are several fine points of relevancy, pertaining to war. Ondaatje intertwined pertinent pieces of information, which served as substantial grounds from which the setting was contrived. In numerous cases, the author succeeded in evoking an empathetic point of view from the reader. The tactics are convincing, and the theme is not devoted to a complete genial complexion. The English Patient is one I will have to read again, in favor of my understanding.
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Summary: Absolutely marvellous!
Review: As some other reviewers, I have read this story after watching the film first. I am very glad that I did, because I have discovered a talented writer, of whom I knew nothing before. Some people, who were very impressed by the film, might have found the book less satisfying, because of some plot differences between the two. These differences doubled the pleasure for me, personally. Both men, Anthony Mighhella and Michael Ondaatje, are absoltutely genious and it is nice to have the same fantastic story told twice from a slightly different perspective. Bravo to both men!
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Summary: A Beautiful Book
Review: The English Patient is a beautifully written book full of sadness and survival. However, I recommend reading In The Skin Of A Lion first, because it introduces the reader to two main characters Hana and Caravaggio. Ondaajates descriptions of places and emotions stay with you like a lingering dream in which the details sometimes fill you with saddness, incomperhensable beauty, and stark ugliness. I don't want to give away too many details one should read the book for themselves. My only other suggestion is NOT to see the movie. The movie unnecessarily changes the relationship between Caravaggio and Hana and simply does not do the book any justice at all.
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Summary: REALLY!
Review: Purple prose does not translate into either literature or poetry. This is the only book that actually made me physically ill. I could say a lot more but that would only be giving this book free advertising and that is something I definitely do NOT want to do!
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Summary: A beautifully written book
Review: When i first read this, i could only think what was going on? But as you continue read it, it opens up to you, each fold falling away to reveal clarity to what is going on. It is an absolutely amazing book. Very elegantly written. Wonderful prose. I adored the book and I adored the movie. Both are great to watch and read.
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Summary: Curl up under soft light and inhale this wonderful book!
Review: I loved this book! "The English Patient" is a story of love and betrayal in World War II. One can live and breathe this novel, and come away from it longing to go back and read it again, because it will have swept you away.
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