Ragas of Longing

The study delves into Michael Ondaatje's poetry, exploring its evolution and thematic unity across six volumes. It connects his work to diverse poetic traditions, examining the interplay between his life experiences—particularly his early family breakup and exile—and his literary development. Close readings of his critiques on Leonard Cohen and Edwin Muir enrich the analysis. Solecki argues that Ondaatje's poetry forms a cohesive canon, characterized by a post-Christian, postmodern vision that balances humor with underlying tragedy.