Running in the Family (Vintage International)

Reading it as a lay-reader, it was 'blah'. It didn't make sense because of the blur btw fiction and auto-biography which is precisely why this book is different. I had to read it for my English unit and the messages from this book is quite interesting. Perhaps it is one of those book that is mostly meant to be studies and not read leisurely?

This is an odd book. From the very structure to the acknowledgments at the end it is clear that Ondaatje dispenses with a traditional memoir form. Memories and stories are jumbled, and facts are not always clearly discernible from fiction but that is clearly stated intention. The writing is poetic and beautiful, and in the end pierces our heart with its truth, despite it being largely a...more

This is an odd book. From the very structure to the acknowledgments at the end it is clear that Ondaatje dispenses with a traditional memoir form. Memories and stories are jumbled, and facts are not always clearly discernible from fiction but that is clearly stated intention. The writing is poetic and beautiful, and in the end pierces our heart with its truth, despite it being largely a work of fiction.   hide

Ondaatje's family is always weird, in poetry or prose. A travel memoir, the author explores family myths of his tragic parents, and also evokes the lifestyle and culture of elite Ceylonese Dutch burgher society in the pre-civil war period.

Love "the cinnamon peelers wife"....a poem. Is it in this book? "I am the cinnamon peelers wife. Smell me." loved the poetry

The author researches his family history and better understands the alcoholism and eccentricity that influences him.

Beautiful

Really good read! Wonderfully written and his grandmother's character is just too funny!

A novel not many people seem to know but is one of the finest pieces of writing I have come across. It's a very personal book which takes you with it on a journey of memories.

Houses my favorite poem of his: "The Cinnamon Peeler."