Reviews

I found this book quite hard to make it through. The characters are quite tough to sit with, outside of the mother who I found really interesting and wish we could have spent more time on. It feels like it wants to say a lot about writing and art, but the foundations the book bases itself on don't really lend itself to that.

kendallbehr's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I cried at the end. I'm glad I pushed through with this book, as the first third to half were difficult to read and stay engaged with. I think mostly because it felt very sad without much resolution. I was also frustrated with Benny needing help and not getting support from the adults in his life. But in the end, I think al the complexity and sadness came together in a good ending.

readforfilth7's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I think this might be my favorite book of all time.

laleila's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

so glad to finally get through this book and put it to sleep. so disappointing after reading A Tale for the Time Being, where the characters were so loveable and memorable. It was a lot harder to connect or care much for these characters.

Such a cool concept of The Book being on of the narrators, but never really hit for me. Last quarter of book was definitely more entertaining, but ending was a bit lack luster.
Enjoyed the idea about "What is real?" And as the story builds start to question more and more what is actually real.

Nothing stand out, just a book that passes by.

giard's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

onebademu's review against another edition

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5.0

Just keep asking yourself: "what is real?" This turned into a great surprise - absolutely loved this.

I've never read Ruth Ozeki before, but her writing is so amazing - so humorous, quirky, offbeat, real, and well constructed.

She blends so many threads and themes together so intricately. Zen Buddhism, grief, philosophy, art, writing, love, mental health, outer space....I don't know how she does it all and makes it blend so well.

deschatjes's review against another edition

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4.0

Beautiful and sad and hopeful. After reading this one looks very differently at those on the edges
And of course what is there not to live about a book celebrating libraries & librarians?

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