Author: Michael Ondaatje (b. 1943)

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf (New York). 304 pp.

Type of work: Novel

Time: Twentieth century

Locales: England, Italy, France

Michael Ondaatje’s seventh novel explores the intricate journey of a young man piecing together his past. The protagonist, Nathaniel Williams, embarks on a quest to illuminate the gaps in his childhood, discovering the limitations of memory and understanding. Through Nathaniel’s eyes, Ondaatje skillfully weaves a tale of secrecy and revelation.

Key Characters

Nathaniel Williams, the central narrator

Rachel Williams, Nathaniel’s older sister

Rose Williams, their mother, a linguist with a secretive wartime past

Walter, also known as The Moth, an enigmatic lodger assuming the role of guardian

Norman, or The Darter, a former pugilist and The Moth’s confidant

Olive Lawrence, an experienced geographer and ethnographer

Marsh Felon, a celebrated naturalist with deep ties to Rose

Story Overview

Shortly after World War II concludes in Europe, the Williams siblings find themselves in a strange predicament. Their parents move to Singapore, leaving them under the care of two questionable guardians, whom Nathaniel later describes as possibly criminal. This departure marks the beginning of Nathaniel's reflections on his early life and the people who filled the void left by his absent parents. The novel’s opening segment, titled “A Table Full of Strangers,” highlights this period of unfamiliarity and adjustment.

Life Changes

As the siblings adjust to their new reality, Nathaniel and Rachel come to terms with their parents' mysterious absence. Their father’s new job in Singapore prompts the siblings to attend boarding schools, yet they soon tire of this arrangement. Persuading The Moth to become their temporary guardian, they return home only to uncover a hidden truth: their mother’s packed trunk remains untouched in the basement, indicating she never left for Singapore.

Mysterious Connections

Despite their inquiries, The Moth provides no answers about their mother’s whereabouts. Instead, Nathaniel and Rachel find themselves entangled with The Moth’s eccentric circle. Nathaniel takes up a job at a hotel managed by The Moth, while Rachel finds solace in Olive, who becomes a maternal figure to her. Through interactions with The Moth’s acquaintances, Nathaniel experiences a newfound appreciation for female companionship.

Shifting Priorities

With time, the siblings' concern for their parents wanes, and school loses its relevance. Rachel, managing her epilepsy, confides in The Moth and secures a job at Covent Garden. Nathaniel, on the other hand, grows closer to The Darter, accompanying him on somewhat dubious ventures involving greyhound smuggling and betting. These experiences shape his understanding of the world beyond conventional boundaries.

Unexpected Reunion

The first part of the novel concludes dramatically when Nathaniel and Rachel are kidnapped by enemy agents targeting Rose and her wartime colleagues. In a shocking turn of events, Rose emerges to save them, revealing her true identity as a British spy. This revelation forces the siblings to leave London, embarking on new paths away from the city.

Understanding "Inheritance"

The second part, aptly named "Inheritance," shifts focus to Nathaniel’s life in Somerset after his mother’s intervention. The narrative dives deeper into Nathaniel's quest to comprehend Rose's secretive past during the war. During this time, Nathaniel immerses himself in local history and nature, guided by a neighbor. Before setting off for college, his mother's reflections on her own vulnerabilities and the lifestyle choices that wartime espionage demanded offer him small insights into their shared complexities.

Navigating the Past

Following college, Nathaniel secures a position in a military archives office, driven by an insatiable curiosity about his mother’s life. Though the intricacies of his father remain elusive, leaving Nathaniel...