Almost a year later I finally read it, and I had some problems getting into the writing and can't say I'm completely sure I understood the books, so rewatching your review. And you bring it to the point so perfectly. Something that really stood out to me while reading was a feeling of invisibility. The characters in the books seem to disappear or be invisible to history and the story of the city. I thought that was very interesting. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
Can I just say thank you for sharing your thoughts about this book?! I read this book in my grade 12 English class two years ago and it was the first time that I fell in love with an assigned book, and also maybe the first time I fell in love with a writer's style. Ondaatje completely blew my mind with it and everything you said is such great insight into the book, especially the observation of the way the stories fall effortlessly against and through each other. Ah, sorry for the rambling, I was just super excited that someone is talking about this book because it is absolutely one of my favourites and since I have not seen it discussed on Booktube yet (though I'm only a lurker on here so I may just not be looking hard enough haha)? Again, thank you so much for this great review!
I've been slowly making my way through your videos and I must say that your reviews are flawless. They're just so interesting and thought provoking. I think I'm going to try and find a copy of this book. The question of who gets to tell history is something I've studied before and I find fascinating.
That sounds like such an interesting book! And I think it is a very important issue, how history can be constructed. I really liked how you put this video together by both telling, showing and reading. You're great!
Hi Jason, I was very happy and surprised to watch your video. ITSOAL is one of my favorite books. Its also probably one of the early books that redefined my perception of what a novel was capable of. In its themes, its language and its mythical quality, it resembles no other novel I know, except maybe some of the other Ondaatje books. I have always wondered if I would find someone to discuss the book with. Looks like you're the one! Thanks again for your video.
LOVE THIS VIDEO Jason!!! What a wonderful moment listening to you speak about this engaging novel. Intellect meets creativity! Five star video. Oh and I'm embarrassed to say I've not read any Ondaatje yet, however after hearing you speak about this one I'm extremely tempted. Welcome back Jason! :D
i've just discovered your channel, and i already love it so much! seeing this detailed and thoughtful review was particularly exciting, as i recently attended a creative writing workshop where a friend of mine somewhat introduced me to Ondaatje. thank you for this! xx
Wow, thank you for such an incredibly generous compliment! That really means a lot! If you do read IN THE SKIN OF A LION, come back and tell me! I want to hear your thoughts!
Really, really fantastic video! It was awesome to hear about the background of the novel, it got me intrigued. Once again, great stuff. You've gained yourself a new subscriber :)
I've had this book on my shelf for a long time, but haven't read it. A professor in grad school had recommended it. Clearly I've been a bad student ; ) Beautiful review, and you have a lovely edition of the book.
Jeff, you have to get on it! ;-) It's seriously great, and I'd love to hear what you think of it! Thanks for the kind words-it means a lot that you enjoyed this video. :) I'm really loving the newer Vintage Canada editions of Ondaatje's books. Who publishes Ondaatje in America?
You've sold me on this book; it sounds beautiful and I'd like to read it someday :) I was especially interested in what you said about the form of the novel, and how it all fits together. Some people say that whatever form a piece is in, be it a linear novel or a fragmented comic strip, that that form is what the piece is meant to be, that the piece would not work in any other form. Yet things (that work) are adapted to other forms like graphic novel or film or whatever else (which may or may not "work"). Do you think that this novel is one of those that would definitely not work in any other form? Even if such a piece in such a form "works" is all subjective anyway because we all like different things and different things all speak to us in one way or another or not at all, but I'm just wondering--could this novel work for you had it not been a novel, but perhaps a series of poems and quotations and photographs, or a documentary with narration, or etc?
Great job as for esthetic aspect of the video, almost like you were trying to make it as poetic as Ondaatje writing is, while it's still very informative. I liked it a lot.
Look at you, reading books and saying smart things about them. There is a part of my brain that still categorises you as "prodigious puppy" even though you're taller than me, so we'll just have to deal with that. Can I admit that I have never read anything by Ondaatje? I just did! :O I am woefully under-exposed to Canlit but that's one of the reasons I am enjoying to take part with Hello Hemlock etc.
Haha. PRODIGIOUS puppy? I'll take that! We can get over the height difference. Your inner Tilda is taller than mine. That's okay! I'm sure he'll come up on Hello, Hemlock ONE OF THESE DAYS! Never leave us, you are the best and Hello, Hemlock wouldn't be the same without you. I've only read three of his books, plus poetry, so it isn't like I'm an expert on Ondaatje. But he is SO GOOD. So good. Check him out if you feel like it.
![Summer Walker - Heart Of A Woman [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/SFddctbZzw8/mqdefault.jpg)
Almost a year later I finally read it, and I had some problems getting into the writing and can't say I'm completely sure I understood the books, so rewatching your review. And you bring it to the point so perfectly. Something that really stood out to me while reading was a feeling of invisibility. The characters in the books seem to disappear or be invisible to history and the story of the city. I thought that was very interesting.
Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
Can I just say thank you for sharing your thoughts about this book?! I read this book in my grade 12 English class two years ago and it was the first time that I fell in love with an assigned book, and also maybe the first time I fell in love with a writer's style. Ondaatje completely blew my mind with it and everything you said is such great insight into the book, especially the observation of the way the stories fall effortlessly against and through each other. Ah, sorry for the rambling, I was just super excited that someone is talking about this book because it is absolutely one of my favourites and since I have not seen it discussed on Booktube yet (though I'm only a lurker on here so I may just not be looking hard enough haha)? Again, thank you so much for this great review!
Man your reviews and discussions are consistently some of the best on youtube. Thanks so much for a super informative video!!! :D
Wow, thanks so much! You're too kind!
I'm really happy you enjoyed the video as much as I enjoyed making it. Do you think you'll check out the book?
I loved this book, and I felt the same way about the backdrop of the book. It was fascinating.
Your reviews are beautiful. Your voice makes it sound like poetry. I need to get my hands on a copy of this book ASAP! :)
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.
Thanks so much, you sweetheart.
I've been slowly making my way through your videos and I must say that your reviews are flawless. They're just so interesting and thought provoking. I think I'm going to try and find a copy of this book. The question of who gets to tell history is something I've studied before and I find fascinating.
That sounds like such an interesting book! And I think it is a very important issue, how history can be constructed.
I really liked how you put this video together by both telling, showing and reading. You're great!
Thanks so much! I appreciate it!
Yeah, it is a very fascinating book and Ondaatje tackles the issue of history super well. I love this man.
the towers of books behind you are my life goals. Amazing!
Hi Jason, I was very happy and surprised to watch your video. ITSOAL is one of my favorite books. Its also probably one of the early books that redefined my perception of what a novel was capable of. In its themes, its language and its mythical quality, it resembles no other novel I know, except maybe some of the other Ondaatje books. I have always wondered if I would find someone to discuss the book with. Looks like you're the one! Thanks again for your video.
LOVE THIS VIDEO Jason!!! What a wonderful moment listening to you speak about this engaging novel. Intellect meets creativity! Five star video. Oh and I'm embarrassed to say I've not read any Ondaatje yet, however after hearing you speak about this one I'm extremely tempted. Welcome back Jason! :D
Thanks Didi!
Where would you suggest I start?
i've just discovered your channel, and i already love it so much! seeing this detailed and thoughtful review was particularly exciting, as i recently attended a creative writing workshop where a friend of mine somewhat introduced me to Ondaatje. thank you for this! xx
Hi 👋
I have to say you have the best reviews I've ever seen. Your book taste is impeccable. I'll be reading this book soon, thanks for the video 💕
Wow, thank you for such an incredibly generous compliment! That really means a lot!
If you do read IN THE SKIN OF A LION, come back and tell me! I want to hear your thoughts!
Really, really fantastic video! It was awesome to hear about the background of the novel, it got me intrigued. Once again, great stuff. You've gained yourself a new subscriber :)
Thanks so much! I'm really happy you enjoyed the video!
If you check out IN THE SKIN OF A LION, let me know! I'd love to hear what you think!
I'm reading this for book club, that being said, who you say that this book is at all similar to the novel Train Dreams?
I've had this book on my shelf for a long time, but haven't read it. A professor in grad school had recommended it. Clearly I've been a bad student ; )
Beautiful review, and you have a lovely edition of the book.
Jeff, you have to get on it! ;-)
It's seriously great, and I'd love to hear what you think of it!
Thanks for the kind words-it means a lot that you enjoyed this video. :)
I'm really loving the newer Vintage Canada editions of Ondaatje's books. Who publishes Ondaatje in America?
can't tell if he's looking at a script when he looks to the right or he's pondering what he's gonna think….
You've sold me on this book; it sounds beautiful and I'd like to read it someday :) I was especially interested in what you said about the form of the novel, and how it all fits together. Some people say that whatever form a piece is in, be it a linear novel or a fragmented comic strip, that that form is what the piece is meant to be, that the piece would not work in any other form. Yet things (that work) are adapted to other forms like graphic novel or film or whatever else (which may or may not "work"). Do you think that this novel is one of those that would definitely not work in any other form? Even if such a piece in such a form "works" is all subjective anyway because we all like different things and different things all speak to us in one way or another or not at all, but I'm just wondering--could this novel work for you had it not been a novel, but perhaps a series of poems and quotations and photographs, or a documentary with narration, or etc?
Great job as for esthetic aspect of the video, almost like you were trying to make it as poetic as Ondaatje writing is, while it's still very informative. I liked it a lot.
Thanks so much! I'm really happy you liked the video. :)
It was a lot of fun to make and great to talk about this book.
do you know where i can find a full audio book of thiis
Look at you, reading books and saying smart things about them. There is a part of my brain that still categorises you as "prodigious puppy" even though you're taller than me, so we'll just have to deal with that.
Can I admit that I have never read anything by Ondaatje? I just did! :O I am woefully under-exposed to Canlit but that's one of the reasons I am enjoying to take part with Hello Hemlock etc.
Haha. PRODIGIOUS puppy? I'll take that! We can get over the height difference. Your inner Tilda is taller than mine.
That's okay! I'm sure he'll come up on Hello, Hemlock ONE OF THESE DAYS! Never leave us, you are the best and Hello, Hemlock wouldn't be the same without you.
I've only read three of his books, plus poetry, so it isn't like I'm an expert on Ondaatje. But he is SO GOOD. So good. Check him out if you feel like it.
Also I don't want my likening you to a puppy to be taken as a negative thing, just to say. You're just the cutest and smartest, you can't help it. :P
more like this please? :)
Great video, thanks :)
This is some high-caliber stuff, man!
Hey you! Thanks! You're the bomb, so that means a lot. :)
Great review, a very interesting book!
Aw, thanks! You're the bomb.
The book is SO interesting! Have you read it?
theheavyblanks Not yet, but now I WANT to, thanks to you :D
1book1review If you pick it up, PLEASE let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts! :D
Very deftly and elegantly assembled video. But wait...are you saying Ondaatje's also Canadian?!Next you'll be saying Justin Bieber's one too.
Thanks so much! Haha, that's what I'm saying.
Very cool your channel ;) #Brazil