Michael Ondaatje's Anil's Ghost receives praise for its poetic prose, evocative imagery, and deep historical insights into Sri Lanka's civil conflict. Reviewers commend the nuanced characters and intricate narrative; however, some find its pace slow and the structure disjointed. Despite this, its emotional depth and vivid storytelling stand out.

Readers who appreciate Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje are typically drawn to richly layered narratives exploring identity, truth, and history. Fans of The English Patient by Ondaatje or Atonement by Ian McEwan will enjoy the profound human experiences and ethical dilemmas presented in a war-torn Sri Lanka.

In Anil’s Ghost, Michael Ondaatje explores the trauma of the Sri Lankan civil war of the 1980s and 1990s. Anil Tissera, a forensic pathologist working with human rights organizations, returns to Sri Lanka after 15 years. Tasked with investigating government-sponsored violence, Anil and her team discover a recently murdered body at a sixth-century burial site. They reconstruct the victim's face to identify him, which provokes government anger. Sensitive topics in the book include trauma and death by suicide.

Mysterious / Dark / Contemplative / Emotional / Melancholic

- Anil's Ghost is a novel by Michael Ondaatje that explores the complex political and social unrest in Sri Lanka during the late 20th century.
- The book was awarded the prestigious Governor General's Award for English-language fiction in Canada in 2000.
- Michael Ondaatje, the author of Anil's Ghost, is internationally acclaimed for his earlier novel The English Patient, which was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film.

**Anil Tissera**  
A forensic pathologist originally from Sri Lanka who returns after years abroad to investigate potential human rights violations during the ongoing civil war. Her journey in the narrative explores her reconnection with her homeland and her own identity.

**Sarath Diyasena**  
An archeologist who partners with Anil in her investigation into the civil war. His life is deeply affected by the war and government corruption, and he cautiously navigates the dangerous political landscape.

**Gamini Diyasena**  
Sarath's younger brother and a dedicated doctor who immerses himself in his work amidst the chaos and violence of the civil war. His complex relationship with Sarath and his own internal struggles are revealed throughout the story.

Michael Ondaatje

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Anil's Ghost reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Anil's Ghost | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Anil's Ghost and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Anil's Ghost Summary

Background

Anil's Ghost Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Sarath”

Preface-Part 1

Anil's Ghost Preface-Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Grove of Ascetics”

Part 2 Anil's Ghost Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “A Brother”

Part 3 Anil's Ghost Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Ananda”

Part 4 Anil's Ghost Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5 Anil's Ghost Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6 Anil's Ghost Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 7 Anil's Ghost Part 7 Summary & Analysis

Part 8 Anil's Ghost Part 8 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Anil's Ghost Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Anil's Ghost Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Anil's Ghost Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Anil's Ghost Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Anil's Ghost Essay Topics

Anil's Ghost

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Anil's Ghost?

Reading Age

Book Details