"The English Patient" is a novel by Michael Ondaatje that tells the story of four characters during World War II. The narrative unfolds in an Italian villa, where a severely burned man, known as the English Patient, is cared for by a nurse named Hana. The other two characters, Kip, a Sikh sapper, and M. H., a Canadian thief, also share their experiences and secrets. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and identity, intertwining the characters' pasts with their present. Through flashbacks, the story reveals the English Patient's tragic love affair with Catherine, a married woman, and the impact of war on their lives.