Michael Ondaatje Is 70

Have you seen The English Patient? Please say no. It is not a very good movie, which is a shame, because it gives people the excuse not to read the book, which is Michael Ondaatje’s masterpiece. Ondaatje, who turns 70 today, has written any number of terrific books, including a remarkable family “memoir,” a book “about” Buddy Bolden, a couple of excellent novels, and a collection of poetry that has one of the best titles ever. Anyway, happy birthday Michael Ondaatje.