A review by kathrynw12
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I loved this book. It’s an amazing and thoughtful exploration of grief and mental health, and also somehow a love letter to libraries. Her treatment of psychiatry was fascinating and infuriating, and I couldn’t help but feel that somewhere along the line, Ozeki had a negative experience with this field. I was rooting for all the characters in this book and wanted them to have a happy ending.

The ending felt a little rushed to me and a little convenient, but I think the characters needed a happy ending. Leaving it ambiguous or completely devastating would have been a disservice.
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