The Cat’s Table by Michael Ondaatje — I was hesitant to pick this one up, due to the overkill that his other work “The English Patient” received. But I’m glad I did. Ondaatje is a masterful writer, able to soothe you when he wants to, able to excite you at other times. This is a story of growing up, as three boys meet onboard the Oransay, a ship heading out of India to England in the 1950’s. One tends to think of this story as somewhat autobiographical, though Ondaatje claims it a work of fiction at the end. Nevertheless, it’s a captivating read, filled with pickpockets, circus troupes, gardens, prisoners – and many, many secrets. —SJA
The Cat’s Table by Michael Ondaatje
The Cat’s Table by Michael Ondaatje — I was hesitant to pick this one up, due to the overkill that his other work “The English Patient” received. But I’m glad I did. Ondaatje is a masterful writer, able to soothe you when he wants to, able to excite you at other times. This is a story of growing up, as three boys meet onboard the Oransay, a ship heading out of India to England in the 1950’s. One tends to think of this story as somewhat autobiographical, though Ondaatje claims it a work of fiction at the end. Nevertheless, it’s a captivating read, filled with pickpockets, circus troupes, gardens, prisoners – and many, many secrets. —SJA
