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Running in the Family
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Running in the Family
$2600
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
Running in the Family is Michael Ondaatje's exquisite blend of memoir and historical portrait, painting a vivid picture of his family's past within the lush backdrop of Sri Lanka. The narrative begins with a haunting sense of longing and curiosity that compels the author to return to his homeland after spending twenty-five years in the starkly different climate of Ontario, Canada. What follows is a rich tapestry of memories, family lore, and uncovered truths, seamlessly woven together to reveal the complexities and eccentricities of the Ondaatje lineage.
Driven by a chaotic dream filled with tropical heat and the cacophony of barking dogs, Ondaatje embarks on a deeply personal journey to comprehend the family history that has shaped his life. He delves into the layers of his father's destructive alcoholism, the turbulent and often flamboyant lives of his ancestors, and the deeply ingrained traditions and societal expectations of Sri Lankan culture. Through a combination of rumour, anecdote, poetry, and recorded memories, he reconstructs the fragmented past with a meticulous attention to detail.
The memoir is a sensory immersion into the sights, sounds, and textures of Sri Lankan life. Ondaatje's prose vividly captures the exotic beauty of the island's landscape, from its lush foliage to the opalescent light that dances over its waters. His descriptions evoke the intense heat, the vibrant wildlife, and the culturally rich soundscape of his homeland, creating an evocative setting that is both enchanting and tumultuous.
As Ondaatje recounts the lives of a privileged yet eccentric older generation, he portrays a wide range of charactersβeach with their own blend of charm and tragedy. His narrative is replete with both adoration and critique, illuminating the patchwork of stories that define his family. He explores his own ghosts, reconciling his personal history with the broader narrative of his ancestors' lives, and grapples with how their legacies continue to influence his present.
Running in the Family is a poignant exploration of identity, heritage, and the passage of time. It is a remarkable achievement that transcends the traditional bounds of memoir, offering a kaleidoscopic view of family history that is at once intimate and universal. Through Ondaatje's masterful storytelling, readers are invited into a world where the past is ever-present, and the journey of self-discovery is beautifully intertwined with the rediscovery of one's roots.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The book is praised for its vibrant and touching depiction of family history and colonial life. Margaret Atwood describes it as brightly coloured and almost legendary. The New Yorker highlights Ondaatje's eloquence and the grace of his prose, while the Globe and Mail notes its impressionistic and surreal portrait of a bygone era. Maxine Hong Kingston calls it a beautiful and magical journey, and the Washington Post commends its sumptuous prose and humour.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781784877811
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 08 December 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Vintage Classics
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 13.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 170g
Pages: 208
About the Author
Michael Ondaatje is the author of seven novels; a memoir, Running in the Family; a non-fiction book on film, The Conversations- Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film; and several books of poetry, including The Cinnamon Peeler and Handwriting. The English Patient received the Booker Prize in 1992 and the Golden Man Booker in 2018, and was made into a film directed by Anthony Minghella. Anil's Ghost was awarded the Irish Times International Fiction Prize, the Giller Prize and the Prix Medicis. Born in Sri Lanka, Michael Ondaatje lives in Toronto.
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