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nellebelle 's review for:
A Tale for the Time Being
by Ruth Ozeki
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This review is difficult because I am so split on the stories of the two narrators. Sorry it's so long!
Nao's parts were a strong 4 or 4.5. I love that girl and was so invested in her family members as well (Jinko, Haruki #1, her father, etc.). She is raw, funny, resilient, bitter, relatable, flawed, lonely, loving, and just an incredible character trying to navigate situations kids shouldn't be put through.
On the other hand, Ruth's parts get a 1. I audibly groaned every time I flipped the page and saw them coming up next. It took me forever to finish this book because I would have to work up the will to read through her sections. The worst part is that she & her husband are based on (and literally named after) the author and her husband. I am sure they are very nice people in real life, but I did not like them at all as characters in this story. Honestly, I would have DNFed this book if the rest of my book club didn't say their stories tie together (and I didn't even end up liking how that was explained either). With that said, everyone who listened to the audiobook really liked it, so maybe do that, and you won't have to "channel your SUPA- POWA-" just to finish this long, slow slog from a couple whose relationship I do not envy in the slightest.
I know this book is beloved, but I have to average out the scores for a 2.5... sorry friends.
Nao's parts were a strong 4 or 4.5. I love that girl and was so invested in her family members as well (Jinko, Haruki #1, her father, etc.). She is raw, funny, resilient, bitter, relatable, flawed, lonely, loving, and just an incredible character trying to navigate situations kids shouldn't be put through.
On the other hand, Ruth's parts get a 1. I audibly groaned every time I flipped the page and saw them coming up next. It took me forever to finish this book because I would have to work up the will to read through her sections. The worst part is that she & her husband are based on (and literally named after) the author and her husband. I am sure they are very nice people in real life, but I did not like them at all as characters in this story. Honestly, I would have DNFed this book if the rest of my book club didn't say their stories tie together (and I didn't even end up liking how that was explained either). With that said, everyone who listened to the audiobook really liked it, so maybe do that, and you won't have to "channel your SUPA- POWA-" just to finish this long, slow slog from a couple whose relationship I do not envy in the slightest.
I know this book is beloved, but I have to average out the scores for a 2.5... sorry friends.