A review by henrylee1202
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Overall, this book was very good. I really enjoyed reading it! I wish I can explain all I feel for this book in this review, but I can’t. In short words, I will say that it is a book that I will never forget. 

It’s interesting how the author decided to use her real name and her husband’s for the characters.

I definitely enjoyed Nao’s parts of the story more than Ruth’s but having both perspectives made the plot whole and complete. Nao,
the poor girl 😭 she really lived a rough live which was really a result from her parents. While I understand the father, I thought the his course of action was ridiculous and it ended up hurting Nao. The great grandmother was so great though. I’m glad she had a part on Nao. I cried so much during the funeral parts.

This might be because I didn’t read carefully but I was surprised by how   worried Oliver got about the cat. Maybe Ruth’s uncaring nature toward him(? I think Pest was a guy) got to me. Glad it was alive in the end 👍


Such a good way to explain Japan through the story. Was able to immerse myself into both of their worlds.

A book that reminded me how much I love books 😻 also another book with a great message: love prevails
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