Reviews

The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

jwolflink3's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

jdgerlach's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

stephxsu's review against another edition

emotional inspiring 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

5.0

veebsreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• 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? Yes

3.0

mikekelly4815's review against another edition

hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I admire that the author took a pretty experimental approach to writing this novel. I also think she had a pretty unique perspective on mental illness (at least in the universe of books I've read).

But also, wow, the tone of this book was cloying at times (especially when "the book" narrator spoke directly). Some of the characters also felt underdeveloped or just a tad too cutely drawn (e.g. the homeless marxist poet who teaches the neighborhood children about art and loving the world, or the corporate employee turned zen monk who is helpless in the face of reverse psychology).

Also, the sense of place in the book was a bit weird. It seems like the author wanted to set the book in Vancouver but also in America? I think because she has a connection to the library but also because she wanted to show the issues with the American healthcare system and the chaos from America's elections? Idk. I think this approach was sort of indicative of how the book wants to show us a side of the world that isn't portrayed much in literature but didn't have the texture needed to make the book's world feel real. 

vivian_m_anderson's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.5

it's hard to figure out my thoughts on this book. it is definitely good--fun, creative, concept if rather convoluted at times, and a new take on perspectives--but it also read a bit like a fanfiction

keovi's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

2.5

han2's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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

5.0

nongshaw's review against another edition

5.0

oh yeah

shanayau's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I don't think I've ever experienced a book like this and it has forever left its mark on my heart.