In the Skin of a Lion

I quote: "His breath is now almost whisper, almost language. She turns, a pearl embedded in her flesh. A violin with stars walking in this house. Fridge light sink light stree light." 'nuff said

This is better than The English Patient. This should have won the Booker prize instead. Ondaatje's poetic bent showed itself brilliantly in his prose writing. The man is a genius at his craft. I wish I could use words as he does.

What a chore to read!

this book was weird! But i liked it :)

If you like cerebral, very stylized books, this book is for you. It was too much of both of thsoe for my taste. I found it to be choppy and confusing. I have never read a book that I had to keep flipping back the pages so often to get my bearings. Overall, I liked the story, and I did get a great idea of the time and place. I just felt like I was stopping to often to consider what the author was...more

If you like cerebral, very stylized books, this book is for you. It was too much of both of thsoe for my taste. I found it to be choppy and confusing. I have never read a book that I had to keep flipping back the pages so often to get my bearings. Overall, I liked the story, and I did get a great idea of the time and place. I just felt like I was stopping to often to consider what the author was trying to convey.   hide

Had to read it for Lit. Not that impressed.

I have never read Michael Ondaatje before. Ondaatje conjurs some incredible images, and his metaphors can be at once uncanny in their accuracy and original to the point of bizarre. He has a unique talent. I am a few pages from the end of the book now, and still miles away from understanding the oblique ties among his characters. I have felt compelled to read his words, but not his story. ...more

I have never read Michael Ondaatje before. Ondaatje conjurs some incredible images, and his metaphors can be at once uncanny in their accuracy and original to the point of bizarre. He has a unique talent. I am a few pages from the end of the book now, and still miles away from understanding the oblique ties among his characters. I have felt compelled to read his words, but not his story. When I tell you that you must read Ondaatje (and you must), I tell you to read him as a poet, rather than a storyteller.   hide

The beginning. Even only for that.

Best book about historical Toronto, ever.