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

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

What a beautifully written novel! This book follows Benny, a young boy who starts hearing voices coming from random objects shortly after his father tragically and suddenly dies. As he struggles with his grief and these voices, his mother, Annabelle, struggles with her own grief as well as with their relationship and raising him. This book also felt like a love letter to books and reading. At one point, the author refers to a library as "a repository housing the bound testimony of mankind's mortal fears and immortal yearnings". I remember after reading that line I audibly laughed and had to pause reading because it truly floored me for a second. And there are so many other moments like that in this book. A heartbreaking yet hopeful novel, this book is definitely one of my favorites this year!
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