Questions About The English Patient

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Answered Questions (8)

Can I please get support in the racism of Hana? "He's so exotic!" UGH! Love can not be based on "He's so exotic."

Elise Falcon This is meant to point out the idea of "otherness" when it comes to the idea of Orientalism, a concept that Edward Said wrote on extensively when it c…moreThis is meant to point out the idea of "otherness" when it comes to the idea of Orientalism, a concept that Edward Said wrote on extensively when it comes to defining the colonial subject and object. This is a huge point of discussion in post-colonial theory, and by depicting it through Hana's character with her use of the descriptor "exotic," Ondaatje hopes to first convey the idea of perceived otherness through the physical before subverting it through the patient's characterization later in the novel. It isn't as simple as pointing fingers and calling Hana racist, there's so much more going on here as far as complex storytelling goes. I think it does the novel a disservice to merely chalk Hana up as a racist and be done with it. Ondaatje is making moves that deal with body politics and disruptive identities, not drawing a line and creating characters that are good and bad.

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In the book why did David Caravaggio go to the Villa? After seeing the movie a dozen times I decided I should read the book and I soon realized the movie did not follow the book. In the movie he (David) did not know Hana before hand and was going to find Almasy to punish him. Those who read this book seem to have varying opinions from 1 star to 5 stars...because I couldn't get thru it I would give it 1 star.

TJ Dublin In the book "In the Skin of a Lion," Ondaatje delves deeper into Hana's, her father's and Caravaggio's past. I see these two books as linked, they're …moreIn the book "In the Skin of a Lion," Ondaatje delves deeper into Hana's, her father's and Caravaggio's past. I see these two books as linked, they're inextricable to me.(less)

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I just finished reading this book but still don't know what ever happened to Almusy and Caravaggio in the end...? I have not seen the movie but I am sure it does not follow the book. The book was inconstant and poetic to work as a movie ...

Chandrahas Dayal I agree with her. I went back several pages to see if I had skipped something. I had not. I concluded Carvaggio must have fallen off he rope and the "…moreI agree with her. I went back several pages to see if I had skipped something. I had not. I concluded Carvaggio must have fallen off he rope and the "last candle" was nothing but the life of Almasy.
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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Regina People healed him during that time. They would cover Almasy’s skin with herbs and other plant stuff. In return, Almasy would identify their weapons an…morePeople healed him during that time. They would cover Almasy’s skin with herbs and other plant stuff. In return, Almasy would identify their weapons and tell them what bullets belong to what guns. It was explained in the first chapter/section.(less)

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How could anybody not like this book?

Laurean It's difficult reading that requires some research and background knowledge. Some folks are not willing to do the work. Some life experience also help…moreIt's difficult reading that requires some research and background knowledge. Some folks are not willing to do the work. Some life experience also helps.(less)

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