Reviews

While the prose of this book is highly accessible for readers, the characterisations of the book is caricaturistic, affecting the book's effectiveness in delivering its core plot about trauma of grief and the struggles of mental conditions. The incorporation of the element of Zen Buddhism also smacks of cheap orientalism which does little to add any substantial philosophical element to the book.

katiegilley's review against another edition

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5.0

Eleventy-billion stars. Ruth Ozeki is absolutely my favorite author. There's so much here that I'm not sure I can write anything, other than that I loved how Ozeki played with animism in this novel - the idea that everything we're surrounded by has a soul, energy, and purpose. That we live a good life when we honor the objects and people in our lives. I LOVED how she brought The Book alive and made it such a focal point of the narrative. It was so clever. The characters were beautiful and complex. And, as with so many of the novels published recently, it reminds us how important books and reading are, especially after the tumultuous few years we've had.

I listened to this on audible but still have a hold on the ebook at the library. I'm planning to read it again and highlight the heck out of it when it's my turn with the library copy. So I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me about this one!

jenpaella's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-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

3.5

monalyisha's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I stayed up reading until 1am. I couldn’t help it! Ozeki is a singular writer; her imagination is vast and she’s so well read: everything from Jorge Luis Borges; to the eclectic German-Jewish philosopher and theorist Walter Benjamin; to Marie Kondo. She knows about jazz, religion, politics, and current events. The dual nature of this (both sprawling and specific) can be overwhelming. Don’t be daunted. Pursue what you want and let the rest wash over you.

In this tale, Benjamin Oh, a boy on the cusp of adolescence, begins to hear the voices of inanimate objects after his father dies in a tragicomic accident. This oddity is exacerbated by his mother’s grief-fueled hoarding. In the hospital and at the public library, Benny meets an intimate cast of characters, unhoused artists and revolutionaries, who become his found-family.

I understand the justified critique that the plot is hard to find. Ozeki’s writing isn’t one thing. Though, if pressed, I’d say the “one thing” she’s focused on here is tenderly exploring grief. Unexpectedly, she incorporates the grief, anger, and joy of objects as one family works through it to discover what must be tidied and what must remain essentially messy. For me, this is metafiction at its finest: watch the writer writing — but also *feel.*

I couldn’t wait to read this when it was published. And then I did wait. For three years. I think I was afraid because I loved A Tale for the Time Being so much. This one won’t occupy the *same* space on my shelves, in my esteem, or in my heart. It hasn’t become one of my Favorite Books. But I still think it’s a work of art.

violetorigin's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

lukakje's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

christinaaangelina's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.75

I finished this book a while ago but haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Such a unique and well-executed concept. I listened to this on audiobook but want to revisit reading because some parts went over my head.

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