The English Patient 英国病人 Michael Ondaatje

The English Patient is a haunting and poetic novel that explores the complexity of human relationships in times of extreme duress. The story is set in an Italian villa towards the end of World War II and centres around four characters: Hana, a nurse who is haunted by the memory of her father dying in the war; Caravaggio, a thief and friend of Hana; Kip, an Indian sapper who defuses bombs; and the English patient, a nameless and severely burned survivor of a plane crash. Through a series of flashbacks and recollections, we learn about the English patient's past and how his love affair with a married woman led to his tragic fate. Meanwhile, Hana, Caravaggio, and Kip struggle to find meaning and hope amidst the chaos and destruction of war. Ondaatje's prose is lyrical and evocative, skillfully weaving together themes of love, loss, and betrayal. His characters are complex and nuanced, grappling with their own demons and trying to make sense of a world that has been torn apart by war. I highly recommend The English Patient to anyone who enjoys literary fiction that explores the human experience in times of upheaval. This novel is a true masterpiece that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.