In the skin of a lion — Reader discussion

What struck me most about In the Skin of a Lion is Ondaatje’s ability to weave the personal and political so seamlessly. The way he illuminates the lives of immigrants building the city’s infrastructure—often overlooked in history—is both moving and eye-opening. His narrative style feels almost like a mosaic, where each character’s story adds depth to the whole picture, making the city itself feel alive. Did anyone else feel like the book challenged how we usually think about history and who gets remembered in it?

I loved how Ondaatje’s prose in In the Skin of a Lion creates such a rich atmosphere—there’s a dreamlike quality that contrasts with the gritty realities faced by the characters. The focus on the working class and their sacrifices felt especially poignant, and it made me think about how history often marginalizes these voices. Plus, the novel’s nonlinear structure kept me fully engaged, piecing together the story like a puzzle. Which character or moment did you find most compelling in highlighting the immigrant experience?