I did not like the structure of the book: some fragments of fragments. Suddenly question arises: Who is that and what he does in the pages of the story? I didn’t like Anil’s character. Perhaps for someone is not a burden to say names of the characters, but it is difficult to pronounce them (if you try). Those who are familiar with the history of Sri Lanka will nderstand much more than the first time introducers to it, like me. Despite the fact that the author is trying to be neutral with respect to all parties in the conflict that is leading to the insane destruction of people, there is still somehow a feeling that his sympathy for the guerrillas and insurgents is more than to the government’s army. It is difficult to judge, not being more familiar with the situation in the country.

Fans of Ondaatje will enjoy this.

I read the book and parts of it I liked very much and other parts I disliked intensely. The prose—poetry is beautiful and deep, e.g. "the hum of the bee motoring within the garden" and other references to things and places. You can read passages more than once and be moved by the comparisons between the human world and the world of nature. But I found the characters aptly described by the title "Anil's Ghost" is just that. Ghostly characters that wisp and float within the book's chapters, shadows flickering on the wall. When I read a book I want to be savaged by the character(s), I want to be drawn into their essence, to know and feel cry and laugh by their conversations, and their experiences of love and pain. I want the plot to drag me into the story and entertain me in their world. I want the story or the characters lives not to end, and stop reading only until I've finished reading it. I had to really push myself to finish this novel.

A challenging book but a very good read.

Probably the best work of poetic fiction ever written by probably the world's greatest living author.