These notes were collected in celebration of Michael Ondaatje's birthday: September 12, 1943 “Ondaatje’s imagination acknowledges no borders” ~ Kamila Shamsie The first sentence of every novel should be: Trust me, this will take time but there is order here, very faint, very human. Meander if you want to get to town. As a writer, one is busy with archaeology. In the book the relationship with Katharine and Almasy is sort of only in the patient's mind. Michael Ondaatje and Anthony Minghella interview on "The English Patient" (1996) "I promise, I'll come back for you. I promise, I'll never leave you." Michael Ondaatje Interview on Writers & Company - CBC Radio