looreads's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
I really enjoyed this novel but the dual timeline really made it drag on. I was hooked from the first page with Nao's timeline but every time it was Ruth's POV I would get bored and put the book down and had a hard time picking back up, especially in the beginning where all Ruth was doing was reacting to what we already read in Nao's diary. It wasn't until past the halfway point that I become more interested in Ruth's timeline. While reading part of me wished that this story was only from Nao's POV but now that I had finished the novel I realized that Ruth's POV did add some intrigue to the story and made it what it is even if it dragged at first.
I really enjoyed this novel but the dual timeline really made it drag on. I was hooked from the first page with Nao's timeline but every time it was Ruth's POV I would get bored and put the book down and had a hard time picking back up, especially in the beginning where all Ruth was doing was reacting to what we already read in Nao's diary. It wasn't until past the halfway point that I become more interested in Ruth's timeline. While reading part of me wished that this story was only from Nao's POV but now that I had finished the novel I realized that Ruth's POV did add some intrigue to the story and made it what it is even if it dragged at first.
susy_9's review
4.0
On present day, Ruth discovers a collection of artifacts washed on the beach in the remote island she lives in. Inside she finds a Hello Kitty lunchbox with a diary written by Nao, a teenage girl from Japan. Ruth suspects the items washed up on shore after the 2011 Tsunami.
The story is written from two POVs, one is Ruth and the the diary entries from Nao. Nao who is struggling from depression and loneliness, decides there is no escape from her reality and decides to document Jiko’s life (her great grandmother who is a Buddhist monk) before she ends her life.
The writing is beautiful and lyrical and I really enjoyed reading Nao’s point of view. I found Ruth’s Pov slow and dragging at times. But this was only because I was impatient to see what happened to Nao and her family. There’s mystery and magic intertwined into the story and it all came together beautifully in the end.
The story combines different timelines and characters. Ruth finding the box and struggling with writers block, Nao’s experience of bullying, her dad constantly contemplating suicide, Nao discovering her great uncle’s story who was drafted into war at the age of 19, Jiko who decided to be a monk who becomes a saving presence for Nao and her dad.
“I am a time being. Do you know what a time being is? Well, if you give me a moment, I will tell you. A time being is someone who lives in time, and that means you, and me, and every one of us who is, or was, or ever will be.”
The story is written from two POVs, one is Ruth and the the diary entries from Nao. Nao who is struggling from depression and loneliness, decides there is no escape from her reality and decides to document Jiko’s life (her great grandmother who is a Buddhist monk) before she ends her life.
The writing is beautiful and lyrical and I really enjoyed reading Nao’s point of view. I found Ruth’s Pov slow and dragging at times. But this was only because I was impatient to see what happened to Nao and her family. There’s mystery and magic intertwined into the story and it all came together beautifully in the end.
The story combines different timelines and characters. Ruth finding the box and struggling with writers block, Nao’s experience of bullying, her dad constantly contemplating suicide, Nao discovering her great uncle’s story who was drafted into war at the age of 19, Jiko who decided to be a monk who becomes a saving presence for Nao and her dad.
“I am a time being. Do you know what a time being is? Well, if you give me a moment, I will tell you. A time being is someone who lives in time, and that means you, and me, and every one of us who is, or was, or ever will be.”
fiberreader's review against another edition
5.0
You know you are reading a good book when you get so involved in it that your thoughts are overtaken by the characters and you wonder what's happening to them when you aren't actively reading about them. That is precisely what happened to me with this book. I happened to start reading it at a busy time, when work was keeping me away from reading, and I found that when I couldn't read, I was thinking about Nao and Ruth. I also found the format of the book to be fascinating and completely original. I don't think I've ever read a novel where the author was a character in the book, and that twist left me wondering how much of this book was actually fiction. Was part of it true? None of it? Certainly Ruth and Oliver are real people, but are they the characters depicted in the book? Was the story inspired by actual events or completely fabricated? This is definitely a book I wouldn't hesitate to reread.
bluebirdsongs's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ruth Ozeki is an author who's been on my TBR for probably close to a decade now, and the whole time her books have been on my list, I've felt unsure as to whether or not I would enjoy her stories.
I finally decided to take the plunge and try A Tale for the Time Being, and all I can say is WOW. Definitively <i>yes</i>, Ruth Ozeki is an author for me and now I feel like I've been missing out for the last decade.
There is so much in this story that I don't feel like I can adequately do it justice. It was beautiful and thought-provoking and heart-wrenching and hopeful. It also felt particularly special for me because the main settings of Tokyo and the Pacific Northwest are two places I've lived, and so I could picture the environments and narration about them so vividly. I was studying abroad in Tokyo when the Tohoku earthquake happened in 2011, so when Ruth was painting the narrative picture of the immediate aftermath of the disaster, I found myself nodding along. I remember those days so clearly.
I loved how Nao's story was told, and how it incorporated multiple generations of her family. For a while half the fun of taking in the story was trying to piece the timeline together from the events Nao referenced--clues as much for the reader as they were for Ruth. The two sides of the narrative felt very much like 君の名は/Your Name, although the themes and the tone were very different. I wouldn't necessarily go around saying, "If you liked Your Name, you'll like A Tale for the Time Being," because this book is much darker and sadder at times. But some of the same storytelling mechanisms are there. This book was also dense with philosophy, and many of the allusions went over my head but I still got a lot out of the symbolism and the messaging. I also learned a few things about Proust, crows, Pacific ocean currents, and quantum mechanics along the way!
This review has no flow or order or logic, it's pure feels and vibes. And I'm going to bask in it. Ruth Ozeki, you have my attention and I can't wait to read more of your work.
I finally decided to take the plunge and try A Tale for the Time Being, and all I can say is WOW. Definitively <i>yes</i>, Ruth Ozeki is an author for me and now I feel like I've been missing out for the last decade.
There is so much in this story that I don't feel like I can adequately do it justice. It was beautiful and thought-provoking and heart-wrenching and hopeful. It also felt particularly special for me because the main settings of Tokyo and the Pacific Northwest are two places I've lived, and so I could picture the environments and narration about them so vividly. I was studying abroad in Tokyo when the Tohoku earthquake happened in 2011, so when Ruth was painting the narrative picture of the immediate aftermath of the disaster, I found myself nodding along. I remember those days so clearly.
I loved how Nao's story was told, and how it incorporated multiple generations of her family. For a while half the fun of taking in the story was trying to piece the timeline together from the events Nao referenced--clues as much for the reader as they were for Ruth. The two sides of the narrative felt very much like 君の名は/Your Name, although the themes and the tone were very different. I wouldn't necessarily go around saying, "If you liked Your Name, you'll like A Tale for the Time Being," because this book is much darker and sadder at times. But some of the same storytelling mechanisms are there. This book was also dense with philosophy, and many of the allusions went over my head but I still got a lot out of the symbolism and the messaging. I also learned a few things about Proust, crows, Pacific ocean currents, and quantum mechanics along the way!
This review has no flow or order or logic, it's pure feels and vibes. And I'm going to bask in it. Ruth Ozeki, you have my attention and I can't wait to read more of your work.
wistan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lumos_tm's review
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
grizzlibear's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
dylankakoulli's review against another edition
2.0
Oh dear.
I really don’t seem to be having much luck (or as much luck as I would’ve liked) with Miss Ruth Ozeki recently :/
Is this is a classic case of, “it’s not you it’s me”? Mainly as people seem to seriously LOVE this book. Or, (and I will preface this by saying, this is by no means a “bad” book) am I about to rightfully object its (imo) overrated status.
To put it Simply, ATFTTB follows a duel timeline of two women. First, a young Japanese girl -Nao, as she navigates and narrates -with the help of a diary, her life after moving from America to Japan. Sharing her numerous thoughts, feelings, reflections and struggles, as well some pretty dark and difficult experiences when it comes to not only her life, but the current state of the family’s wellbeing too. Then secondly, and much further across the pond (well ocean and possibly time?) we have an older, struggling American writer named Ruth. Who one day discovers Nao’s journal -washed up inside a hello kitty lunchbox on the shore (cause that happens…), and how this seemingly incidental moment, calls into question not only Ruth’s understanding and connection to time, history, people and place, but explores the constantly evolving relationship that exists between a reader and a writer -that of both Nao and Ruth, and then I guess the relationship between us, Nao and Ruth.
Anyway, as I said, this is not necessarily a bad book. The writing (well audio) is simple and easy to follow. However I found the subject matter and characters themselves, left little to be desired.
I also found the depiction and attitude towards mental health -particularly suicide, extremely juvenile and problematic. Almost downplaying its severity -not cool Ruth.
Now, I have taken the time to read through various other “negative” reviews (though we are definitely in the minority people). Many of which saying the books main “downfall” was Ruth’s story. However, I think Nao is also equally to blame. Frankly I found her far too infuriating and naive to ever truly sympathise with (also I’m sorry, but what was with wholly unnecessarily and overly detailed comments, when it came to hers and others sexual encounters and fetishisation. Oh, and don’t even get me started on her “panties” chatter! I mean, come on?!)
Ok, negatives aside for a hot sec though. Mainly as I’m sure you all wondering, “well Dylan, what DID make you keep reading (listening) to this book?!” Well folks, listening is the “key” here (or hear!), for I think I enjoyed the author's wonderfully vivid narration, WAAAAAY more than I did the actual story itself.
2.5 stars (audio easily 5)
I really don’t seem to be having much luck (or as much luck as I would’ve liked) with Miss Ruth Ozeki recently :/
Is this is a classic case of, “it’s not you it’s me”? Mainly as people seem to seriously LOVE this book. Or, (and I will preface this by saying, this is by no means a “bad” book) am I about to rightfully object its (imo) overrated status.
To put it Simply, ATFTTB follows a duel timeline of two women. First, a young Japanese girl -Nao, as she navigates and narrates -with the help of a diary, her life after moving from America to Japan. Sharing her numerous thoughts, feelings, reflections and struggles, as well some pretty dark and difficult experiences when it comes to not only her life, but the current state of the family’s wellbeing too. Then secondly, and much further across the pond (well ocean and possibly time?) we have an older, struggling American writer named Ruth. Who one day discovers Nao’s journal -washed up inside a hello kitty lunchbox on the shore (cause that happens…), and how this seemingly incidental moment, calls into question not only Ruth’s understanding and connection to time, history, people and place, but explores the constantly evolving relationship that exists between a reader and a writer -that of both Nao and Ruth, and then I guess the relationship between us, Nao and Ruth.
Anyway, as I said, this is not necessarily a bad book. The writing (well audio) is simple and easy to follow. However I found the subject matter and characters themselves, left little to be desired.
I also found the depiction and attitude towards mental health -particularly suicide, extremely juvenile and problematic. Almost downplaying its severity -not cool Ruth.
Now, I have taken the time to read through various other “negative” reviews (though we are definitely in the minority people). Many of which saying the books main “downfall” was Ruth’s story. However, I think Nao is also equally to blame. Frankly I found her far too infuriating and naive to ever truly sympathise with (also I’m sorry, but what was with wholly unnecessarily and overly detailed comments, when it came to hers and others sexual encounters and fetishisation. Oh, and don’t even get me started on her “panties” chatter! I mean, come on?!)
Ok, negatives aside for a hot sec though. Mainly as I’m sure you all wondering, “well Dylan, what DID make you keep reading (listening) to this book?!” Well folks, listening is the “key” here (or hear!), for I think I enjoyed the author's wonderfully vivid narration, WAAAAAY more than I did the actual story itself.
2.5 stars (audio easily 5)
sseitz977's review
I’m not sure how to rate this book. There were parts that I found so disturbing/bleak that I had to stop reading and take a break. But I loved the characters, format, and storytelling.