inthecommonhours's review
I read this back when Annabelle and I were in a bookclub of two. I think Katie J. recommended it, and it had won Kingsolver's prize, so I picked it. I'd forgotten about it until today when I was looking up her new book, A Tale for the Time Being. It's at the top of my wishlist, though, I have to admit, my expectations are lowered now. I found the characters in this book to be such stereotypes. Junot Diaz has a blurb on the back of her new book saying she's one of his favorite novelists, and Karen Maezen Miller recommends her, so I'll read her again.
kaitlinduffy's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
lucyblack's review
2.0
Way too slow and too long. It's a pity cos when I first started it I thought it was going to be awesome. I found myself dreading reading it and counting pages which is never good. None of the characters were very warm or likeable and nothing much happens for ages. I really like Ruth Ozeki's other books though, maybe this just needed better editing.
anninx's review
2.0
This was painful to listen to. I'm pretty sure I lost a couple brain cells. The writing style wasn't bad, but every single character was insufferably dumb.
squishymini's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
readingweadinglire's review
4.0
Started out slow, but once it got going it WENT. Was hopeful and sad.
I really enjoyed her writing style, idk what about it was so impactful for me but it was wonderful
I really enjoyed her writing style, idk what about it was so impactful for me but it was wonderful
skylars_shelf's review
5.0
Once again, Ozeki weaves together themes so disparate that no other author could. All Over Creation explores the duties of motherhood and fatherhood, the monotony and scandal of small-town living, the dangers of genetic engineering and monoculture, the economic hardships faced by small American farms, the pervasiveness of alcohol abuse, and the persistence of a family throughout the years. No character is perfect and every character is utterly lovable. Though Yumi narrates, the book provides a window to the inner world of several other characters. The words they leave unspoken to one another escalate the heartache of this book to another level. In a sense, it's a happy ending for Yumi and her family; though their relationships are still splintered, there is a movement towards reconciliation.
kafkaonthebrink's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Right after I read this book, I googled "Does Ruth Ozeki have ADHD?" and the answer is yes. Yes, she does. I love how she finds these topics she's interested in, usually scientific in nature, and writes creative fiction about them. She really knows how to share information in a palatable and digestible way. My Year Of Meats tackled the meat industry and what separates human from animal, and All Over Creation tackles the vegetable industry, ruminating on growth and life as a whole. But both books have a common point: they're reflections of what it means to be human, which sounds so pretentious but Ozeki really does it well.
Like most Ozeki books, this was funny, depressing, horrifying, and even disgusting. The relationship with Yumi and Rhodes was so revoltingly abusive, and well the book doesn't necessarily condemn it as much as it should, it doesn't glorify it either. There's a certain stillness to Ozeki's books, an acceptance of what is while also celebrating growth and change. It's quite paradoxical and I don't know how she pulls it off. This book makes you hate all of the characters a little, and through that, makes you love them just a little bit too. I don't think any of these characters were likable, and that's what makes them so relatable. Even Yumi, the protagonist, is overall cruel and a "bad person". I don't think I could see anyone liking her.
Yes, it's long, and it's a bit tiring, but overall, it was a good read and nowhere near as disturbing as My Year of Meats, though the first half is a little bit nauseating. I really enjoyed it, and though I don't think I'll be coming back to it anytime soon (there are some books that I start over right as I finish them), I can definitely see myself enjoying this book again in the future.
Like most Ozeki books, this was funny, depressing, horrifying, and even disgusting. The relationship with Yumi and Rhodes was so revoltingly abusive, and well the book doesn't necessarily condemn it as much as it should, it doesn't glorify it either. There's a certain stillness to Ozeki's books, an acceptance of what is while also celebrating growth and change. It's quite paradoxical and I don't know how she pulls it off. This book makes you hate all of the characters a little, and through that, makes you love them just a little bit too. I don't think any of these characters were likable, and that's what makes them so relatable. Even Yumi, the protagonist, is overall cruel and a "bad person". I don't think I could see anyone liking her.
Yes, it's long, and it's a bit tiring, but overall, it was a good read and nowhere near as disturbing as My Year of Meats, though the first half is a little bit nauseating. I really enjoyed it, and though I don't think I'll be coming back to it anytime soon (there are some books that I start over right as I finish them), I can definitely see myself enjoying this book again in the future.
unboxedjack's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship