Too true regarding the boring texts 'bails'.
In response to 'cakes' comment about the post-colonial theory, I believe that the book itself presents both post-colonial and post-modern views. In my opinion, the exam is likely to ask us to examine these two aspects of the novel, or these two readings. Even if they don't, I think that we should have these two readings down, or at least have defined the two aspects in terms of the story.
I see it a little differently though. I definately agree that Patrick finds a voice through his relationships and experiences throughout the book, but just as each 'section' or 'part' of the book introduces us to a different character, and different stories, I think that, as Patrick is telling all these stories to Hana, that what we as a reader are presented with is the completed, more detailed stories as put together in Hana's imagination as she listens to them. As the beginning of the novel states "the man who is driving could say, "In that field is a castle", and it would be possible for her to believe him", the intimate details as told through the text could simply be a figment of Hana's imagination, therefore bringing forward a new theme of imagination to the novel.
Obviously this theory is more post-modern, but I havn't really come up with a post-colonial 'reading' that I can agree with.
Sorry to babble, just thought I'd put forward a new 'theory', or 'reading'.
Thanks guys. = )
