A review by teamoxfordcomma
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • 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

5.0

(maybe 4.75? undecided. but I loved it.)

Well, it's official: I have a new author crush. Ruth Ozeki was not on my radar before this masterful book, but she has more than earned a permanent place. This is one of those novels I will consult again as I write things, studying the way she crafted her sentences and characters with an effortless elegance.

What a concept for a novel! There are huge discussions throughout of family, sanity, creativity, philosophy, material possessions, literature... the narration is hugely inventive and so, SO well done. I finished this book feeling triumphant and very sentimental about my love of books and literature.

The only reason I might give this 4.75 stars is because it's a long book (almost 600 pages), and I'd be lying if I claimed that I was unable to put it down (as much as I truly did love the writing). 
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