Rat Jelly

by Michael Ondaatje

Excellent Book

Genres: Poetry, Canada

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Philip Michael Ondaatje is a Sri Lankan-born Canadian poet, fiction writer, and essayist, renowned for his contributions to both poetry and prose. He was born in Colombo in 1943, to a family of Tamil and Burgher descent. Ondaatje emigrated to Canada in 1962, where he pursued his education, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Arts from Queen's University.
Ondaatje’s literary career began in 1967 with his poetry collection The Dainty Monsters, followed by his celebrated The Collected Works of Billy the Kid in 1970. His poetry earned him numerous accolades, including the Governor General’s Award for his collection There's a Trick with a Knife I'm Learning to Do: Poems 1973–1978 in 1979. He published 13 books of poetry, exploring diverse themes and poetic forms.
In 1992, Ondaatje gained international fame with the publication of his novel The English Patient, which won the Booker Prize and was later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film. His other notable works include In the Skin of a Lion (1987), Anil’s Ghost (2000), and Divisadero (2007), which won the Governor General’s Award. Ondaatje’s novel Warlight (2018) was longlisted for the Booker Prize.
Aside from his writing, Ondaatje has been influential in fostering Canadian literature. He served as an editor at Coach House Books, contributing to the promotion of new Canadian voices. He also co-edited Brick, A Literary Journal, and worked as a founding trustee of the Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry.
Ondaatje’s work spans various forms, including plays, documentaries, and essays. His 2002 book The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film earned him critical acclaim and won several awards. His plays have been adapted from his novels, including The Collected Works of Billy the Kid and Coming Through Slaughter.
Over his career, Ondaatje has been honored with several prestigious awards. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1988, upgraded to Companion in 2016, and received the Sri Lanka Ratna in 2005. In 2016, a new species of spider, Brignolia ondaatjei, was named in his honor.
Ondaatje’s personal life is also intertwined with his literary pursuits. He has been married to novelist Linda Spalding, and the couple co-edits Brick. He has two children from his first marriage and is the brother of philanthropist Sir Christopher Ondaatje. He was also involved in a public stand against the PEN American Center's decision to honor Charlie Hebdo in 2015, citing concerns about the publication's anti-Islamic content.
Ondaatje’s enduring influence on literature and his ability to blend personal history with universal themes in his writing continue to shape Canadian and world literature.

Reviews

[Zac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ondaajte has a way with words that few others in the literary world can even begin to approximate. Truly there are some towering works in this collection (his 4th collection of poetry). There are also some works that fall flat, either from obtuse language, my failure to comprehend the greater meaning, or both. A quick read that will certainly shape the mind of whoever reads it and train the brain for his other offerings as well.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 STARS

Not one of my favourite collections by Ondaatje, but the creepy poem about Dear Abby still sticks in my mind. Ondaatje is lyrical and very good with imagery. His worst poem is still fabulous.

[Foxthyme · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains some of my favourite Ondaatje poetry.

[G.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful!

[Gabriel Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

RAT JELLY!!!!

This is my first collection by Michael Ondaatje, but holy hell was it good. I picked this up while perusing the library stacks (as I do) and I saw the spine-- Rat Jelly. Great start. And then I saw the full cover with that smug little stained glass baker man and I knew I had to give this a read.

So I wish I had saved the book before returning it to the library just a little bit longer, so I could provide a more thoughtful review. Four days later, what sticks with me must be the best of it so let's go--

Rat Jelly (the eponymous title poem) is so good and so funny. Sweeney Todd esque in a way. Which is funny because this whole collection predates sweeney todd.

There was a poem as well (title forgotten, forgive me) about a woman who had a kink for being covered in flies. That was icky and funny and a little dark?

Icky and funny and a little dark, with some revelling in the deadpan and mundane. I had a hell of a time with this one.

[Helen Hanschell Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle, interesting from 1973, beautifully crafted. A book of poems to revisit.

[Sophie Crocker · Rating 3 out of 5]

that cover is sooo scary

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Acquired 1996
Cheap Thrills, Montreal, Quebec