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A review by chamomiledaydreams
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
This is the second Ruth Ozeki book that I've read, and while I prefer "A Tale for the Time Being," I can't deny how poignant and well-crafted "The Book of Form and Emptiness" is. I love the way that it splits its focus between Benny and his mother Annabelle, and I like how a book narrates the majority of the plot, with Benny's own voice gradually becoming more book-like as he matures. Having a book as a character in a book—and establishing that that book is the same one we're reading—seems like an easy way for an author to come across as obnoxiously meta or to confuse their audience. But Ruth Ozeki incorporates such elements with skill and to a beautiful effect.
The Zen Buddhist elements in this novel are fascinating, as well, and I appreciate how we get snippets of books within a book. The characters' struggles and their stories prompted me to reexamine my own life, and they made me feel inspired and galvanized in a way that not many books accomplish. I wrote down at least a dozen quotes while reading, and I'm impressed by how attached I grew to Annabelle and how quickly, too. It's not a question of her versus Benny, but at many points in the novel, I understood Benny's embarrassment but still felt firmly on Annabelle's side, wanting to tell Benny things, like, "She's trying her best!" and, "Do you have any idea how amazing your mom is, dude?"
Overall, this is a fantastic book, and I'm looking forward to reading more by Ruth Ozeki in the future. There's something about her style and the subjects that she chooses to focus on that makes the cogs in my brain whir like a symphony. I hope to be able to write stories that are even a fraction as powerful and engrossing as hers someday!
The Zen Buddhist elements in this novel are fascinating, as well, and I appreciate how we get snippets of books within a book. The characters' struggles and their stories prompted me to reexamine my own life, and they made me feel inspired and galvanized in a way that not many books accomplish. I wrote down at least a dozen quotes while reading, and I'm impressed by how attached I grew to Annabelle and how quickly, too. It's not a question of her versus Benny, but at many points in the novel, I understood Benny's embarrassment but still felt firmly on Annabelle's side, wanting to tell Benny things, like, "She's trying her best!" and, "Do you have any idea how amazing your mom is, dude?"
Overall, this is a fantastic book, and I'm looking forward to reading more by Ruth Ozeki in the future. There's something about her style and the subjects that she chooses to focus on that makes the cogs in my brain whir like a symphony. I hope to be able to write stories that are even a fraction as powerful and engrossing as hers someday!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Drug use, Blood, Car accident, and Classism