3.77k reviews for:

The Book of Form and Emptiness

Ruth Ozeki

4.05 AVERAGE

books_coffee_midwifery's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I loved this tender, beautiful book and its cast of characters human, crow, alive, dead, imagined and re-imagined. 

rosierust's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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although it took me a while to warm to the characters, ultimately this book left me feeling hopeful and inspired about the power of writing, connection and letting go. it wove two very powerful stories together of mother and son who are ostensibly suffering the same fate, but in the physical and mental realm. it felt very true as a depiction and analysis of the way capitalism and materialism are insidiously detrimental to our lives, and how human connection and openness can be the answer to righting these wrongs. 

aniabot's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

danawulf's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

grace_ella27's review against another edition

3.0

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I found this book a very slow read, and throughout most of it felt great frustration with Annabelle as she fails to take accountability. However, through both Benny and Annabelle, this book gives a great insight into some mental health conditions which often aren’t explored.

brettotis's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

racing_with_time's review against another edition

3.75

dark emotional sad medium-paced

auntie_em's review against another edition

4.0

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

lydiart's review against another edition

3.75

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i feel like this took forever to get through, but i did like it and the premise but wouldnt personally reread bc long

lots of ‘world building’ or whatever u call it for when its not sci fi

karo_dame's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated