Michael Ondaatje's Anil's Ghost receives praise for its poetic prose, evocative imagery, and deep historical insights into Sri Lanka's civil conflict. Reviewers commend the nuanced characters and intricate narrative; however, some find its pace slow and the structure disjointed. Despite this, its emotional depth and vivid storytelling stand out.

Readers who appreciate Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje are typically drawn to richly layered narratives exploring identity, truth, and history. Fans of The English Patient by Ondaatje or Atonement by Ian McEwan will enjoy the profound human experiences and ethical dilemmas presented in a war-torn Sri Lanka.

In Anil’s Ghost, Michael Ondaatje explores the trauma of the Sri Lankan civil war of the 1980s and 1990s. Anil Tissera, a forensic pathologist working with human rights organizations, returns to Sri Lanka after 15 years. Tasked with investigating government-sponsored violence, Anil and her team discover a recently murdered body at a sixth-century burial site. They reconstruct the victim's face to identify him, which provokes government anger. Sensitive topics in the book include trauma and death by suicide.

Mysterious / Dark / Contemplative / Emotional / Melancholic

Michael Ondaatje

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

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Overview

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Anil's Ghost Summary

Background

Anil's Ghost Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Sarath”

Preface-Part 1

Anil's Ghost Preface-Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Grove of Ascetics”

Part 2 Anil's Ghost Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “A Brother”

Part 3 Anil's Ghost Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Ananda”

Part 4 Anil's Ghost Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5 Anil's Ghost Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6 Anil's Ghost Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 7 Anil's Ghost Part 7 Summary & Analysis

Part 8 Anil's Ghost Part 8 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Anil's Ghost Character Analysis

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Themes

Anil's Ghost Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Anil's Ghost Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Anil's Ghost Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Anil's Ghost Essay Topics

Anil's Ghost

Before You Read

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Book Details