A review by ye_li
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

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

5.0

A Tale For The Time Being feels like a fever dream but in the best way possible. It becomes morbid at several points throughout the story, and you can see how Nao spirals deeper and deeper. Ruth's P.O.V was a bit of a slog to get through—I only became captivated with her point of view later on in the book, when it became surrealistic and dreamlike. As time goes on, this book and its story are all I can think about—I can't help but recommend it to other people and I can't stop talking about it. A somewhat grotesque and introspective piece of literature, managing to be so real yet completely bizarre. A work of art.
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