Anil's Ghost Summary
The best way to recognise an excellent book is to give it an award. Anil’s Ghost is an excellent book, and it is without a doubt worthy of the Governor generals Award. Anil’s Ghost was written by the award winning author, Michael Ondaatje, and it was published in 2000. The novel starts with Anil Tessera returning to her home country, from the west, where she had been studying to become a forensic anthropologist. She had returned, to investigate mysterious deaths that are plaguing the country. Her and her co worker, Sarath, exhume a body on government land, and together they thoroughly research him. Anil has been asked to create a presentation, on their skeleton. However, the skeleton is stolen, and the rest of the presentation goes seriously.
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Michael Ondaatje’s novel deserves the governor general’s award, because it uses powerful themes, such as the effects of war on a society, extremely effective characterization, and a remarkable plot, that is both unpredictable, and suspenseful.
This book takes place in a country, where there is certainly a huge amount of chaos, and we see the effects of war, as one of the major themes in this book.
It is no surprise to hear of families getting torn apart, because of injuries from the war, and from suicide: people are killing themselves, so they can get away from the horrors of war. Ananda was trying to commit suicide, when he “was lying against a corner, trying with what energy he had left to stab himself in the throat” (Ondaatje 196). Furthermore, there are many people losing family members, because of public bombs, and other devastating acts of murder occurring in Sri Lanka. These people must for sure feel deep hatred towards the insurgents. Consequently, the hospitals are so full of wounded people, that doctors are working overtime, to attempt to help as many people as they can. A specific example of a doctor doing this, is Gamini. Gamini works overtime, literally night and day, catching a few hours of sleep here and there, and consuming protein drinks to keep him awake. Many people are sent away, simply because the hospital's can only treat so many wounded. In addition, this country is not safe to live in, from the insurgents constantly killing. Bombs will randomly blow up in a public place, killing and injuring hundreds of subjects: even the president was reduced to millions of pieces, when a rebel set off a
bomb.
This country is torn apart from the people trying to overthrow the government.
Next, Michael Ondaatje uses characterization to make these fiction people feel like real people, that you could know. Anils character is revealed in the way she works and relates with other people. Anil is impulsive, portrayed in the way she snaps back at people, and the way she just wants to get things done. She is also defiant, illustrated when Sarath tells her to “go to the lab” (Ondaatje 182), and she says I dont want your f*****g help (Ondatje 182) I feel as though Anil could be a real person, because so much of her character is displayed I the way she acts.
Gamini is one of the most caring people on this book. He is a doctor, and is willing to do anything to help other people. Gamini works all the time in the hospital, treating other people. Gamini doesn't care how much of his life he spends on others, and not on himself. Gamini is giving up his life for the good of others. Saraths character is also shown to us in the way he works: he is extremely patient, and careful that everything is done properly. While Anil is quick and impulsive, Sarath is older, and precise, like making sure the skeleton is properly taken care of. Sarath is a very interesting character, and he adds a lot to the book. The main charactors all have very different personalities, and they help make an amazing book.
FInally, the plot is probably the best part of the book. This is a novel that you cant really predict, because when you think for sure something is going to happen, it usually turns out in the opposite way, and keeps you attention captivated. For example, Anils skeleton is confiscated, right before her presentation. this is totally random, and Anil is feeling the same way as the reader: confused, and wondering what is going to happen. Next, Michael Ondaatje allows problems to arise in the most crucial moments, like when Ananda attempts suicide, as he is reconstructing the face of the skeleton, which would be catastrophic, because Anil is hoping someone will recognize the skull once the face is completed, so they can gain further information. These problems that arise are always solved in a way that is not expected.
While reading this novel, suspense was constantly being built, by possible foreshadowing. During a flashback, while Anil is still in America studying, the book describes in detail a part fo a movie, in which a riders friend is killed, and he runs off. This actually foreshadows the ending of this book, because Sarath is killed, and Anil flees the country. this is a very unique, impressive way to foreshadow the ending of a book. The plot gives Anil's Ghost a solid foundation for a great book.
To conclude, the Governor General's award could not go to a more deserving book, than Anil's Ghost, simply because of such effective use of themes, especially the effect of war, suicide, broken homes, lifelike characters, and a superb plot. There are many wars happening today,even though we may not think of it, due to the fact we live in a very safe country. I think Anil will continue to work for Human Rights, and will change the world for the better.
Michael Ondaatje’s novel deserves the governor general’s award, because it uses powerful themes, such as the effects of war on a society, extremely effective characterization, and a remarkable plot, that is both unpredictable, and suspenseful.
This book takes place in a country, where there is certainly a huge amount of chaos, and we see the effects of war, as one of the major themes in this book.
It is no surprise to hear of families getting torn apart, because of injuries from the war, and from suicide: people are killing themselves, so they can get away from the horrors of war. Ananda was trying to commit suicide, when he “was lying against a corner, trying with what energy he had left to stab himself in the throat” (Ondaatje 196). Furthermore, there are many people losing family members, because of public bombs, and other devastating acts of murder occurring in Sri Lanka. These people must for sure feel deep hatred towards the insurgents. Consequently, the hospitals are so full of wounded people, that doctors are working overtime, to attempt to help as many people as they can. A specific example of a doctor doing this, is Gamini. Gamini works overtime, literally night and day, catching a few hours of sleep here and there, and consuming protein drinks to keep him awake. Many people are sent away, simply because the hospital's can only treat so many wounded. In addition, this country is not safe to live in, from the insurgents constantly killing. Bombs will randomly blow up in a public place, killing and injuring hundreds of subjects: even the president was reduced to millions of pieces, when a rebel set off a
bomb.
This country is torn apart from the people trying to overthrow the government.
Next, Michael Ondaatje uses characterization to make these fiction people feel like real people, that you could know. Anils character is revealed in the way she works and relates with other people. Anil is impulsive, portrayed in the way she snaps back at people, and the way she just wants to get things done. She is also defiant, illustrated when Sarath tells her to “go to the lab” (Ondaatje 182), and she says I dont want your f*****g help (Ondatje 182) I feel as though Anil could be a real person, because so much of her character is displayed I the way she acts.
Gamini is one of the most caring people on this book. He is a doctor, and is willing to do anything to help other people. Gamini works all the time in the hospital, treating other people. Gamini doesn't care how much of his life he spends on others, and not on himself. Gamini is giving up his life for the good of others. Saraths character is also shown to us in the way he works: he is extremely patient, and careful that everything is done properly. While Anil is quick and impulsive, Sarath is older, and precise, like making sure the skeleton is properly taken care of. Sarath is a very interesting character, and he adds a lot to the book. The main charactors all have very different personalities, and they help make an amazing book.
FInally, the plot is probably the best part of the book. This is a novel that you cant really predict, because when you think for sure something is going to happen, it usually turns out in the opposite way, and keeps you attention captivated. For example, Anils skeleton is confiscated, right before her presentation. this is totally random, and Anil is feeling the same way as the reader: confused, and wondering what is going to happen. Next, Michael Ondaatje allows problems to arise in the most crucial moments, like when Ananda attempts suicide, as he is reconstructing the face of the skeleton, which would be catastrophic, because Anil is hoping someone will recognize the skull once the face is completed, so they can gain further information. These problems that arise are always solved in a way that is not expected.
While reading this novel, suspense was constantly being built, by possible foreshadowing. During a flashback, while Anil is still in America studying, the book describes in detail a part fo a movie, in which a riders friend is killed, and he runs off. This actually foreshadows the ending of this book, because Sarath is killed, and Anil flees the country. this is a very unique, impressive way to foreshadow the ending of a book. The plot gives Anil's Ghost a solid foundation for a great book.
To conclude, the Governor General's award could not go to a more deserving book, than Anil's Ghost, simply because of such effective use of themes, especially the effect of war, suicide, broken homes, lifelike characters, and a superb plot. There are many wars happening today,even though we may not think of it, due to the fact we live in a very safe country. I think Anil will continue to work for Human Rights, and will change the world for the better.