Peter Behrens | Families, Histories, Novels || Radcliffe Institute

TL;DR

Ondaatje discusses his books and inspiration, the fellowship experience, and the theme of escape and escapism in his novels.

Transcript

-Thanks to Radcliffe and to Judith for your generous introduction. And to Rebecca and Sharon for making things so easy for all of us here. And to my fellow Fellows for your engaging and challenging companionship over this year-- which feels to me like a long sea voyage. The sort I always wanted to take-- not a cruise on a cruise ship going nowhere,... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Ondaatje is grateful for his fellowship experience at Radcliffe and values the engagement and companionship of his peers.
• 🎑 He shares two scenes from Radcliffe, highlighting the diverse discussions and unexpected moments that occur among the fellows.
• 👻 Ondaatje's novels are inspired by his family's stories and myths, but he allows the characters to become their own entities.
• ❓ The theme of escape and escapism is prevalent in his novels, particularly in the imagined fantasy of the Llano Estacado.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main focus of Ondaatje's speech?

The main focus of Ondaatje's speech is his fellowship experience at Radcliffe, the inspiration and process behind his novels, and the theme of escape and escapism.

Q: How does Ondaatje describe his fellowship experience at Radcliffe?

Ondaatje describes his fellowship experience at Radcliffe as engaging and challenging, comparing it to a long sea voyage on a great liner. He expresses gratitude for the opportunity to be at sea with his peers.

Q: What are the scenes Ondaatje shares from Radcliffe?

Ondaatje shares two scenes from Radcliffe. The first involves rowdy discussions among cosmologists and mathematicians, which initially intimidated him. The second scene involves his son searching for a snack from a vending machine in the basement and his hesitation to ask Michael Pollan for a quarter.

Q: How does Ondaatje describe the inspiration and process behind his novels?

Ondaatje explains that his novels are rooted in his family's stories and myths, but they are not memoirs. He starts with something that happened or something someone said and allows the characters to develop and become entirely themselves. Writing fiction allows him to comprehend his family's history and explore the relationships between the dead generations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Ondaatje talks about his fellowship experience at Radcliffe and his admiration for his peers.

• He shares two scenes from Radcliffe, one involving rowdy discussions among cosmologists and mathematicians, and another involving his son searching for a snack.

• Ondaatje discusses the inspiration and process behind his novels, particularly The Law of Dreams and The O'Briens.