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carulina's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
rietbelmans's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
tofefe's review against another edition
5.0
I would gave the book somehting between 4 and 5 stars. The most of the time, I liked the book very much. This lasted for three quarters. Then a supernatural event occured, which I do not enjoy much. Worst of it, the event is explained with quantum phyiscs… But when I do not take this into account, it would say, that‘s a perfect book with interesting, distinct but relatable characters. I loved the Nao chapters, the Ruth chapters were sometimes a bit tedious. I had the hope that we learn more about Naos fate, but I absolutely respect the author‘s vision, to let her end open.
knapier5's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sglance9's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, War, Death, Violence, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide, Dementia, and Vomit
Minor: Rape
phlegmie's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t know what these magic realism books that explain too much want to achieve. I’m sold on the quantum mechanics rationale, I guess but Ruth just came off as so boring and insufferable to me that I felt like she had to delude herself to believe she had some sort of influence on the trajectory of Nao’s life.
novabird's review against another edition
3.0
Prior to the discovery of the so called ‘god particle,’ the Boson Higgs in 2013, I would have been more likely to give an appreciative nod towards the concept of parallel universes. However, after having recently watch a doc called, “Particle Fever,” the findings were that the Boson Higgs mass was approx. halfway between the projected 114 for a confirmed Super Symmetry theory and the Multiverse theory. Theories that are more recent hold for a neutral Boson Higgs that favours the Super Symmetry theory.
There has been much speculation about the Tao of Physics combining the two fields of quantum physics with eastern philosophy since 1975, if not before. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/329501442?book_show_action=true&page=1
A Tale for the Time Being, could have stood alone with a simpler plot without the quasi-metaphysical confluence, as the writing and concept were strong enough to hold their own.
The contextual details of Japanese culture were very interesting. Nao was simultaneously too immature for an American teenager and then too mature for a Japanese teenager. However, Ozeki gave a good psychological picture of a youth impacted by suicidal ideation.
Was A Tale for the Time Being, meant to be semi-autobiographical? After all, the author’s name and one of the central character’s names are both Ruth. Each Ruth also lived on Vancouver Island and also were of Japanese extraction. Was Ozeki attempting to try and let her ‘Zen,’ perspective of multiverses slip into her real world?
I am not enamored of the combination of the time bending theme with literature especially when it is not found in the genre of sci-fi or fantasy. 3.5
There has been much speculation about the Tao of Physics combining the two fields of quantum physics with eastern philosophy since 1975, if not before. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/329501442?book_show_action=true&page=1
A Tale for the Time Being, could have stood alone with a simpler plot without the quasi-metaphysical confluence, as the writing and concept were strong enough to hold their own.
The contextual details of Japanese culture were very interesting. Nao was simultaneously too immature for an American teenager and then too mature for a Japanese teenager. However, Ozeki gave a good psychological picture of a youth impacted by suicidal ideation.
Was A Tale for the Time Being, meant to be semi-autobiographical? After all, the author’s name and one of the central character’s names are both Ruth. Each Ruth also lived on Vancouver Island and also were of Japanese extraction. Was Ozeki attempting to try and let her ‘Zen,’ perspective of multiverses slip into her real world?
I am not enamored of the combination of the time bending theme with literature especially when it is not found in the genre of sci-fi or fantasy. 3.5
kishma_'s review against another edition
1.0
This book...I wish I liked it more. Initially I thought I would love it and was really excited to pick it up, but as frequently as I found myself picking the book up, I was putting it down. My interest in A Tale for the Time Being fluctuated constantly. For the most part, I found myself more interested in Nao's story than I was in Ruth's to the point where I would skim Ruth's chapters (or skip them completely) just to reach Nao's next chapter. Towards the end, though, my interest in both characters waned so much that I wound up skimming the remaining chapters just to see how it ended.
For the majority of the book, I listened its audiobook which did make the experience a little more enjoyable and bearable. It helped me give the story a fair chance before I decided whether or not I really liked the book as a whole. Unfortunately, in the end, I was not a fan and probably won't pick it up ever again. Just was not the book for me, I guess. I'm happy to move on to something else.
For the majority of the book, I listened its audiobook which did make the experience a little more enjoyable and bearable. It helped me give the story a fair chance before I decided whether or not I really liked the book as a whole. Unfortunately, in the end, I was not a fan and probably won't pick it up ever again. Just was not the book for me, I guess. I'm happy to move on to something else.