Play Book Tag discussion

In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje - 3* - My Review

Set in the 1920s-1930s, this book follows the life of protagonist Patrick Lewis, who grows up in the woods of Ontario, moves to Toronto where he works in construction, and becomes a “searcher” for a missing millionaire. He develops a relationship with the millionaire’s mistress Clara, and later, her friend Alice. Patrick is Canadian, and he comes into contact with a variety of immigrant workers. Patrick’s story sheds light on the history of Toronto’s foundational infrastructure and the people who labored to build it.

There is not much of a story arc here. The narrative is non-linear and told in a patchwork of episodes. The writing is elaborately lyrical in Ondaatje’s typical style. I very much enjoyed the manner in which the author mixes real historic events with his fictional characters’ lives, but it seems disjointed as it jumps from one incident to another without a connecting thread. I am slowly making my way through Ondaatje’s back catalogue. I liked this novel, but not as much as his other works.

Steeplechase: Tagged Canada x126: https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

BWF Extra I, O - Fits letters, not tag