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  • In the Skin of a Lion

  • Written by: Michael Ondaatje
  • Narrated by: Tom McCamus
  • Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (114 ratings)

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In the Skin of a Lion cover art

In the Skin of a Lion

Written by: Michael Ondaatje
Narrated by: Tom McCamus
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Publisher's Summary

Bristling with intelligence and shimmering with romance, this novel tests the boundary between history and myth.

Patrick Lewis arrives in Toronto in the 1920s and earns his living searching for a vanished millionaire and tunneling beneath Lake Ontario. In the course of his adventures, Patrick's life intersects with those of characters who reappear in Ondaatje's Booker Prize-winning The English Patient.

©1987 Michael Ondaatje (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about In the Skin of a Lion

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story, deadpan delivery

Multistranded novel spanning 1915 to 1938 in central and eastern Ontario. The story comes together near the end, from at least five directions. Keeps you guessing for some time. Ultimately very satisfying. Great characters.
I know McCamus as an actor, and he is very good on stage, but his delivery is monotonous and deadpan, with hardly any differentiation of character voices, and minimal emotion. May as well read the book yourself. I expect an audio book to add to the written text, not dull it down.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

great story

I enjoyed the story very much. The monotone performance was very hard to stick with

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

I couldn't finish this.

I found the story slow and had difficulty keeping my attention to it. That may have been that I didn't care for the narrator. He is a bit monotone... I listened to about 2/3rds and gave up.
#Audible1

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Boring and hard to follow

Overall the narrator for this was alright. Not very express but he did have a soothing voice. The actual book though was very difficult to get into and I found it very hard to follow and understand what was really going on. I am a very good visualizer and have no difficulty picturing books as I read. This book on the other hand, I couldn’t get lost in it like other books. I don’t think I would recommend this book, maybe if you’re interested in some Toronto history? But that’s about it.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Monotone narrator kills it

I’ve listened to just over 2 hours and I can’t face it anymore… the story is promising but the monotone narrator is unbearable. I’ll have to get the print version to find out how it ends.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Mono narrator + author's passive voice = sleep aid

Monotone narrator plus author's passive voice equals sleep aid. I couldn't stay awake. Had to read this book for college level class.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Jean b

Really struggled with it lacked continuity. only interesting part was local Ont towns not recommended

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Atmospheric. Good story.

Not a favourite, but an interesting listen/read. I liked the sensuality and atmosphere. For me, character development could have been better. Why do I care about these characters? I really don’t.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I thought I knew what to expect

I enjoyed all the Toronto history weaved into the story. every twist and turn was unexpected and appreciated.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A true bridge of Toronto’s making

While definitely a dense read, as there is a lot of path to uncover in its fragmented narrative, it is a must read for any Canadian reader.
Sit back and listen as Ondaatje brings Toronto to life with #Audible1

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