Warlight

In post-WWII London Nathaniel and his sister Rachel are abandoned by their parents, who move to Singapore, and left to live with a mysterious guardian, “The Moth”, and his rather odd collection of acquaintances, and the children live an unusual, free life without realizing that their lives are at risk as their mother is a spy. Fourteen years later, Nathaniel tries to discover the truth about his mother’s life. Michael Ondaatje’s latest novel, suitable for grade 12 students, is a coming-of-age tale interwoven with a mystery and suspense story that explores the depths of the human condition, and can be used as a whole class novel or in literature circles.