In the early 1950s, an eleven-year-old boy in Colombo boards a ship bound for England. At mealtimes he is seated at the and "cat's table and " - as far from the Captain's Table as can be - with a ragtag group of and "insignificant and " adults and two other boys. As the narrative moves between the decks and holds of the ship and in and out of the boy's adult years, it tells a spellbinding story, by turns poignant and electrifying, about the magical, often forbidden discoveries of childhood and a lifelong journey that begins unexpectedly with a spectacular sea voyage. Michael Ondaatje is a master storyteller and uses symbols and imagery in a most unusual way. This guide for Michael Ondaatje's book will spark discussion of this and other topics: Is this novel a memoir or a work of fiction? Every Bookclub-in-a-Box discussion guide includes complete coverage of the themes and symbols, writing style, and interesting background information on the novel and the author.