Summary of the novel The Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje.

 

Summary of the novel

The Skin of a Lion -Michael Ondaatje.

The Skin of a Lion is a novel written by the Canadian – Sri Lankan writer, Michael Ondaatje. This novel was published in the year 1987 by McClelland and Stewart. Patrick Lewis is the protagonist of this novel. The story revolves around the hometown of Patrick, Toronto, Canada in the 1920s. This novel explores the lives of the immigrants in the city of Toronto.

Patrick lives along with his father at Deep Creek, Canada. His father Hazen is a dynamiter and does various jobs in the farm. Patrick is a keen onlooker of nature and a listener. He watches the hard labor of loggers and hears to the flapping sound of the bugs during his childhood stage. Patrick observes his father’s job from a distance, like a kid. He acquires the skill of his father succeeding through his child – like learning.

In the chapter The Bridge, a building work is carried out at the center of the city, Toronto. One night a group of nuns enter this bridge accidentally. A fierce wind blows away a nun from the bridge. Nicholas Temelcoff, a Macedonian immigrant rescues the nun. He flies like the Windover bird in the midair and saves the life of the nun.

Patrick after the death of his father moves to the city of Toronto. In the same year a millionaire Ambrose was found missing. Patrick, who takes the job of a searcher goes in search of the missing man. He meets the old man’s wife and gather information about the man. Then he goes in search of the Oldman’s mistress Clara, an actress. Patrick falls in love with Clara. The relationship grows to a great extent of seduction. Clara invites Patrick to the house of Alice, her friend. Clara is too intimate with her friend Alice which makes Patrick fall in despair. She moves away with Ambrose. Patrick feels heartbroken and isolated. For three years he remains silent thinking his love. With the help of Alice mother, he tries to meet Clara, but Ambrose attacks Patrick when he tries to meet her.

Patrick leaves his previous job as a searcher and arrives to the city to find a new job. He joins with the Macedonian immigrant workers striving hard in the tunnel.  He lives in the apartment of Macedonian neighborhood. He lives alone and works along with the immigrants. Patrick attends the puppet show organized by the immigrants. He is captivated by the scene and he rushes to the stage to find the actor who was under mask, Alice Gull. 

Patrick stayed with Alice gull and her nine-year-old daughter Hana. Hana has lost her father Cato. Patrick willingly accepts Alice and Hana. Hana takes Patrick to meet Nicholas Temelcoff.   He tells Patrick about Alice, the nun who he saved during the bridge work.  When Patrick learns about the death of Alice, he takes revenge upon by bombing a hotel.

 In the Chapter titled “Caravaggio” Patrick Lewis is in the Jail. With the help of Lewis, Caravaggio escapes from the prison. He teaches Patrick the art of “Demarcation”. After absconding from the prison, he moves in a train. Then he jumps off from the train to buy turpentine. He meets a boy named Alfred who willing helps Caravaggio to buy turpentine.

Caravaggio meets Anne in a Canoe and he is moved by her friendship. His first experience of robbery is amusing. He jumps from a two-storey window with a valuable drawing, and breaks his ankles. He meets Gianetta and falls intensely in love with her. He marries Gianetta and he shares a humble, supportive relationship. At the climax of the novel Patrick plans to blow up the Filtration Plant with dynamite and Caravaggio's helps. With the support of Caravaggio and Gianetta, Patrick enters the plant and gets wounded.

Patrick severely wounded comes to the home of Harris. Then Patrick moves to the Bakery shop of Temelcoff to meet Hana. He is delighted to see the grown-up girl Hana. She takes care of Patrick.  Clara speaks to Patrick and informs him about the death of Ambrose. Patrick and Hana drive to meet Clara.