*3.5.

Ondatje’s writing is riveting and immaculate. Although I found myself more and more disinterested with the plot as it progressed, there are scenes fleshed out so meticulously I’m sure I will never forget them.

And that last chapter (“Nowadays I eat at the hour the greyhound does”) brought on such a melancholy mood for me. So, so beautiful that I wanted to weep.