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Dec 14, 2012sharon711 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
The story takes place mainly on a ocean liner traveling from Ceylon to Britain in the 1950s. Even the physical nature of the book conveyed the times, with its heavy paper feathered on the edges and its sepia photo on the cover The biggest weakness in this tale was the lack of an over-riding plot line that united the characters. I found it difficult to place such a large cast of people as the story progressed. The small vignettes were evocative in themselves, but much of the story had no bearing on the plot - if it was the prisoner’s tale, or perhaps on a deeper level Michael’s awakening to the ethics behind good and bad behavior? From the opening quote I get the impression the author wants to comment upon the vagaries of youth and how our early experiences direct our entire lives. Ondaatje dedicates this book to Cassius, the other friend from Michael's youth whom he never meets again as an adult