Warlight

A Novel

By: Michael Ondaatje

Narrated by: Steve West

From the internationally acclaimed, best-selling author of The English Patient: a mesmerizing new novel that tells a dramatic story set in the decade after World War II through the lives of a small group of unexpected characters and two teenagers whose lives are indelibly shaped by their unwitting involvement.

In a narrative as beguiling and mysterious as memory itself - shadowed and luminous at once - we follow the story of 14-year-old Nathaniel, and his older sister, Rachel.

In 1945, just after World War II, they stay behind in London when their parents move to Singapore, leaving them in the care of a mysterious figure named The Moth. They suspect he might be a criminal, and they grow both more convinced and less concerned as they come to know his eccentric crew of friends: men and women joined by a shared history of unspecified service during the war, all of whom seem, in some way, determined now to protect, and educate (in rather unusual ways) Rachel and Nathaniel.

But are they really what and who they claim to be? And what does it mean when the siblings' mother returns after months of silence without their father, explaining nothing, excusing nothing? A dozen years later, Nathaniel begins to uncover all that he didn't know and understand in that time, and it is this journey - through facts, recollection, and imagination - that he narrates in this masterwork from one of the great writers of our time.

©2018 Michael Ondaatje (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"London-born narrator Steve West effortlessly mixes tones of mystery, uncertain memory, sophistication, and innocence in Ondaatje's latest novel.... A wholly original listening experience." (AudioFile)

“Warlight is a quiet new masterpiece from Michael Ondaatje… An elegiac thriller [with] the immediate allure of a dark fairy tale. In Warlight, all is illuminated, at first dimly then starkly, but always brilliantly.” (Anna Mundow, The Washington Post)

“If writers are cartographers of the heart, Michael Ondaatje’s oeuvre could fill an atlas...[he] evokes a kaleidoscope of ideas and moods with exquisite lyricism... Warlight is an intricate ballet of longing and deception, and a singular ode to the mother-child bond .” (Hamilton Cain, O Magazine)

Excellent - heartbreaking

Slow in parts but the unsaid or unwritten parts of the story are as important as the ‘ink’; giving texturized emotion to the characters and the times- quite wonderful.

Yawn!!

What could have been a very interesting story was impeded by such languid ( some might say tedious) writing that I could barely finish listening. If you enjoy that kind of writing or The Goldfinch then this is the book for you. If not, skip it. There were too many characters introduced who didn't seem essential to the story. The few sex scenes were clearly told from a male fantasy.

Michael Odjatje

This is a beautifully written book. One of the best I’ve read in many years. remarkable.

Exquisitely delicate & bold!

A splendid narration of Ondatje's graceful stitches and colorful threads of broken hearts, damaged souls!

Not the English Patient

I enjoyed the characters in the book, but I found the book a bit too shrouded in mystery and uncertainty for my tastes. Still, it was well written and evocative. Yet, I wouldn't recommend it. So many loose ends that didn't really make sense.

Wonderful!

Beautifully written and exquisitely narrated. Loved this. Michael Ondaatje never disappoints. I loved this…highly recommended.

Excellent narration- storyline a bit convoluted

I could listen to this narrator's voice all day long. I enjoyed parts of this poetic story very much. Other aspects dragged, but overall, I don't regret having been introduced to this book.

Time and location ring true

listener felt part of action. characters
interesting,
ll
very realistic action . Look forward to mors

Put me to sleep!

Started out well enough. The narration was different but decided to go with it although that might be what put me to sleep. I just couldn't keep up with the story. I had difficulty keeping up. After awhile the narration seemed overdramatic and almost sinister. I honestly did not follow this book well at all.

Odaantje writes again

Typical of Ondaatje his writing is superb. Unfortunately with this book it is done with fits and starts.
The story held me but I was not impressed with this one. He has his best works to live up to.