Journal Entry 1 by hobbit from Surabaya, Jawa Timur Indonesia on Monday, December 01, 2008

In the late 1970s, Michael Ondaatje returned to his native island of Sri Lanka. Recording his journey through the druglike heat and intoxicating fragrances of that "pendant off the ear of India", Ondaatje simultaneously retraces the baroque mythology of his Dutch-Ceylonese family. It is a story of broken engagements and drunken suicide attempts, of parties where exquisitely dressed couples tango in the jungle, a tale whose actors pursue lives of Baudelairean excess with impeccable decorum. An inspired marriage of travel narrative and family memoir by an eloquent and poetic writer.


I received this book as part of the RMTBRBB Swap (Rock Mountain To be Read Book Babes). I added several of Michael Ondaatje's books to my wishlist after I attended a lecture & reading by him at a college near me (Vassar). His writing is beautiful and I look forward to this. Thanks, NVAngel2073! 

Journal Entry 2 by hobbit from Surabaya, Jawa Timur Indonesia on Tuesday, May 05, 2009

I enjoyed this book very much. I did not realize from the description that it's not a connected narrative but a collection of anecdotes, poems and memories, much like a journal.

The poem The Cinnamon Peeler is one of the things that the author read when I heard him speak. I found it luscious, earthy, and erotic. Mmmm.

I'm sending this book to ZZZ who won a book sweepstakes. Happy reading! 

Journal Entry 3 by zzz from Rakovica, City of Belgrade Serbia on Sunday, May 31, 2009

I loved "English Patient" and "In The Skin of a Lion" very much so I'm sure this one will equally good reading experience [especially since Margaret Atwood said Ondaatje is here at his agile and evocative best...].
Thank you hobbit!