Michael Ondaatje was born in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) of Dutch and Indian ancestry and is now a Canadian citizen.

He has written fiction, poetry, and memoir, and his novel The English Patient was made into an Academy Award-winning film. His publications include the memoir Running in the Family and his poetry collection There’s a Trick With a Knife I’m Learning To Do, which received the Governor General’s Award. He has also been a recipient of the Booker Prize.