I feel daunted even thinking of attempting to reflect on or critique this book - the calibre of this novel is some of the highest I've ever had the pleasure of perusing. Again, a little excerpt from my Livejournal posted a little while ago about the book:

"I don't think I've ever been so entranced with a book in my entire life. The storyline is almost inconsequential, it is his diction and the manner in which Ondaatje writes about life, the desert, mystery. I feel like this book is being presented to the world through a series of distinctly separate human interactions, which bleed together over the course of time to form a cohesive whole. The two excerpts up there are from The English Patient. I've taken to highlighting or underscoring particularly pretty, moving, or pertinent passages in the books I read, but I haven't felt cause or need to with any book for months now except for this one. Again, we have a male author writing from a female perspective through his main character, but in Ondaatje's case he does it flawlessly because he doesn't seek to exceed or meet any sort of certain standard of the female psyche through what he puts down on the page about Hana. It's frightening how much I identify with her most of the time. I could have been her. I probably would have been her if I'd been born during the second world war."

Keeping the identity of the English patient a secret until the closing passages of the book was stupendous, but his lack of identity made for some confusing narratives along the way. Leaving his nationality permanently ambiguous except for the solid statement that he is "not an Englishman" was highly appreciated as it lent itself towards the mysterious and seductively inviting tone the entire novel embodied. I'd definitely say that this book would probably be best enjoyed as a second-time-through novel. Having some sort of fore-knowledge of the characters and the way their lives intertwine with each other would go far in removing any confusion the reader might have their first time through.

This book has become an instant favourite, and I can't wait to get my hands on more of Ondaatje's stuff.