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Michael Ondaatje, author of The English Patient and Anils Ghost, will spend a week at UVM this month with students and faculty of the Department of English. The campus and local community are invited to hear Ondaatje read from his work on Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. in Ira Allen Chapel. A reception and book signing at the Fleming Museum will follow his remarks.

Ondaatje was born in 1943 in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and has lived in Canada since 1962. His work spans genres from poetry and fiction to memoir, and reveals a passion for defying conventional form. He is the author of novels including The English Patient, which won the Booker Prize in 1992 (the film adaptation won nine Academy Awards in 1997); several volumes of poetry; documentary films; and a memoir, Running in the Family. His most recent book, The Conversations, is a lengthy interview with famed film editor Walter Murch.

Michael Ondaatje is one of the worlds most respected writers, says Paul Martin, assistant professor of English, noting that his visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of UVMs Canadian Studies program. Martin is teaching a senior seminar on Ondaatjes work, and will offer a one-credit online course on Ondaatje in January through UVMs Division of Continuing Education.

The Oct. 26 lecture is free, but because a large crowd is expected people are encouraged to pick up tickets in advance at the English office, 400 Old Mill. Ondaatjes visit was made possible by the Department of English and its Buckham Fund. Information: 656-3056.

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