Divisidaro

This is the long-awaited new novel by Michael Ondaatje. Like his earlier books, it uses lyrical language with embedded quotes and dialogue, occasional authorial comment, and fragmented chronology. It does lack the emotional power, the anger which sparked his previous works; it’s a calmer, even a more distant work. But that’s part of it, because “divisidaro” doesn’t just mean “divisions” (one of the more obvious themes) but also “seeing from a distance”.

All the characters are observed in many different ways, first person, third, the main actor, the one on the sidelines. Unlike his earlier novels, which had scattered characters who come together for a time, this is more about the separation. Lovers are divided, parents from children (most of the characters are orphans), siblings, friends. Their time together is often brief and sometimes imaginary. And yet, despite the ever-present divisions, it’s actually the connections which are stronger. They might not be together, but they feature in one another’s life, colour one another’s lives.

I enjoyed this – it’s a book to read slowly, revelling in the language. I didn’t love it as I did his previous works, but then it took a few reads before I embraced them anyway. Perhaps after a couple more rereads I’ll be waxing more lyrical – but at the moment, it’s true to say I liked it.