Anil and Sarath are able, with Ananda's help, to bring a voice to the victim: "[T]his head was not just how someone possibly looked, it was a specific person. It revealed a distinct personality, as real as the head of Sarath." Setting and historical context Ondaatje set Anil's Ghost in his homeland of Sri Lanka. During the turbulent period in Sri Lanka from the mid-1980s to early 1990s, the characters in Anil's Ghost face the everyday struggles of living in a warring nation. During this time period, Sri Lanka is divided among three main warring sides with two ethnic groups and the government in a civil war. The novel places a major focus on war and its effects on individuals, families, and entire societies. Families have been torn apart because of the kidnappings or simply because of the stress of war that is too much of a burden. Major awards Anil's Ghost is a recipient of the Governor General's Award for English-language fiction in 2000, and the Giller Prize. References 2000 Canadian novels Novels by Michael Ondaatje Novels set in Sri Lanka Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning works McClelland & Stewart books Governor General's Award-winning fiction books Nonlinear narrative novels