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stabilesero's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Benny and his mother's story is one of grief, struggle within society, expectations one puts on oneself and society's expectations; as well as all the things including growing up, community and belonging.
I loved this book so much and I really didn't expect to. It had been sitting on my tbr shelf for so long because I feared it's size but it was worth it. It's definitely not going to be for everyone, but between the crows, jazz music, B-Man and all the other intricate details of this book; this was my book to a T.
I will absolutely be picking up more by Ozeki.
Graphic: Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Cursing, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, and Bullying
desheebasara's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It lost me a little bit in the middle, but not in a way that made me put it away.
I really really enjoyed Ruth Ozeki‘s writing style, pretty sure I have never read anything like it!
Minor: Grief, Car accident, Sexual violence, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Animal cruelty, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Bullying, Drug abuse, Addiction, Animal death, and Death of parent
michaelion's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Classism, Grief, Mental illness, Self harm, Confinement, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Blood, Drug use, Fatphobia, Medical content, Police brutality, Forced institutionalization, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Car accident, Racial slurs, Violence, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Bullying, and Death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pandemic/Epidemic, Homophobia, Rape, Cancer, and Pedophilia
futuretreeman's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just like the book-within-the-book "Tidy Magic", 'The Book of Form and Emptiness', flew off the shelf to me. I was in the middle of several projects about homes and objects, the way objects feel and the way they make us feel and the memories they help us make. I even wrote poems about forks and spoons and napkins.
I was also beginning some self-discovery at the time. My dad died too when I was a little kid and after years of ignoring how it hurt, I finally started to recognize how it really made me feel and who I had turned into.
By the time I finished the book, I had gone through other changes too. I learned what a terrific friend I had been in college, unreliable, apathetic, and exactly the kind of person I had always feared becoming. I went through back-and-forth stages of putting the blame all on me, all on my friends, and realizing we all had roles to play.
I've felt much like Benny. I even feel like Annabelle as I write this review.
The certainly hasn't changed my life, and it will take far more than words on a page to heal my hurt and the hurt I've caused others. But this book has had a marvelous impact on me. I sometimes find myself wondering if a hot pan burns because it is angry at you for hurting it by putting it in the oven. But my family hasn't read this book and they'd think I was crazy if I said it out loud.
If you've read the book, you understand.
And if you find a book that makes you feel this way, listen.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Death, and Self harm
Moderate: Drug abuse, Body horror, Car accident, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Confinement, Blood, Bullying, Alcohol, and Animal cruelty
ulviyyask's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Death of parent, Mental illness, Self harm, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Car accident, Forced institutionalization, Drug use, and Blood
Minor: Sexual content and Alcoholism
hail_archangel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Drug abuse, Self harm, Alcoholism, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Bullying, Rape, and Blood
rainbowarpaint's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying
livcashmere's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Bullying, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
jonmayb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
For the most part, I disliked Ruth’s point-of-view. While I enjoyed the depth, and the layer of mystery that her perspective added to Nao’s story, I don’t think it was necessary for it to have been so fleshed-put. While the versions of them in the book are fictional, having to read through Ruth and Oliver’s strained conversations proved awkward. For the most part, it was boring, and it often felt uncomfortable to read.
Additionally, I didn’t like the shift towards magical realism that the book took so close to the end, and the manner in which it practically made Ruth the savior of Nao’s story.
I was ultimately disappointed by all the questions the book leave unanswered as well. However, despite all of these qualms I had with it, I did, for the most part, genuinely enjoy reading this book.
Graphic: Suicide, Bullying, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
schopflin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, and Drug abuse
Minor: Mass/school shootings