"The English Patient" is a novel by Michael Ondaatje that tells the story of four characters during World War II. The narrative revolves around a severely burned man, known as the English Patient, who is cared for in an Italian villa by a nurse named Hana. The story unfolds through their interactions and the memories of the patient, revealing his past and the love he lost. The novel explores themes of love, identity, and the impact of war. It intertwines the lives of Hana, the English Patient, a Canadian soldier named Bipin, and a thief named Kip, each grappling with their own experiences and traumas.