59 pages 1 hour read

Michael Ondaatje

The English Patient

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje is a historical romance novel set in an Italian monastery at the end of World War II, exploring the intersecting lives of a Canadian nurse named Hana, a presumed English patient burnt beyond recognition, a morphine-addicted thief named Caravaggio, and an Indian bomb defuser named Kip. Sensitive topics including drug use, fire injury, war violence, and suicide are depicted.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje mesmerizes with its poetic prose and intricate narrative structure, weaving complex characters and historical settings. Praised for its lyrical beauty and depth, some find its nonlinear storytelling and pacing challenging. Nonetheless, it stands out for its emotional resonance and evocative imagery.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The English Patient?

A reader who enjoys The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje likely appreciates historical fiction, poetic prose, and complex character studies. Fans of Atonement by Ian McEwan or All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, which blend World War II settings with deeply personal narratives, would find this book compelling.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

910L

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Classic Fiction

Romance

Topics

Military / War

History: World

Period

WWII / World War II

Themes

Society: War

Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Life/Time: The Past