In the aftermath of World War II, two siblings are left in the care of a mysterious figure named the Moth. As they navigate the dark and clandestine world of espionage in London, their lives intertwine with an array of unforgettable characters. The narrative shifts between memory and reality, unraveling secrets that have long been buried. Ondaatje masterfully explores themes of loss, identity, and the impact of war on the human psyche. 'Warlight' invites readers into a hauntingly poetic exploration of the shadows cast by history.
By Michael Ondaatje
Published: 2019
""We were all in our own private battles, shadowy and intricate; the world outside was just a backdrop to the stories we each carried within us.""
Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize A New York Times Notable Book A Washington Post Notable Book An NPR Best Book of the Year It is 1945, and London is still reeling from years of war. Fourteen-year-old Nathaniel and his older sister, Rachel, seemingly abandoned by their parents, have been left in the care of an enigmatic figure they call The Moth. They suspect he may be a criminal and grow both more convinced and less concerned as they come to know his eccentric crew of friends: men and women with a shared history, all of whom seem determined now to protect and educate (in rather unusual ways) the siblings. But are they really what and who they claim to be? And how should Nathaniel and Rachel feel when their mother returns without their father after months of silence—explaining nothing, excusing nothing? A dozen years later, Nathaniel begins to uncover all he didn’t know or understand during that time, and it is this journey—through reality, recollection, and imagination—that is told in this magnificent novel.
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“"We were all in our own private battles, shadowy and intricate; the world outside was just a backdrop to the stories we each carried within us."”
Warlight
By Michael Ondaatje
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Michael Ondaatje is a Canadian author, best known for his acclaimed novel, 'The English Patient,' which won the Booker Prize and was later adapted into an Oscar-winning film. Other notable works include 'In the Skin of a Lion,' 'Anil's Ghost,' and 'Divisadero.' Ondaatje's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose, deep exploration of memory and identity, and rich, evocative use of imagery.
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