Dr Philip Holden (email: ellhpj@nus.edu.sg)

The Novel (1)

Some Pointers

Today, we'll be taking our first look at The English Patient. We'll be using Michael Ondaatje's novel to discuss the novel itself as a genre, to discuss postmodernism, and finally as an object for research in both assignment two and assignment three. In the lecture, we'll discuss both the history behind the novel, its structure, and something about Ondaatje's life. You'll find the novel densely written, and full of allusions or references to other literary works--you might want to follow some of these up, and note others down for discussion.

Reading

• Michael Ondaatje, The English Patient
  [Try to read the whole text before this introductory meeting]

Last updated: 8 November, 2007