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Lisa (NY)'s Reviews > The Book of Form and Emptiness
The Book of Form and Emptiness
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The Book of Form and Emptiness starts with the death of Kenji Oh, run over by a truck in the alley outside his home. The following 546 pages recount the suffering and struggles of his wife, Annabelle and son, Benny in the aftermath of his death. But this is not a grim novel. Ozeki infuses the pages with warmth, wisdom...and levity.
There is a lot of weirdness going on. For one, the book is a character in its own book. I was unsure of the line between Benny's hallucinations and the reality of the book. Do the objects really talk? After all, the book does and it is real. But it never takes itself too seriously.
It makes sense that Ozeki is a Zen Buddhist priest. She guides the reader to look deeper, widening our perspective. This is the kind of book I love! One in which I emerge looking at life a little differently.
There is a lot of weirdness going on. For one, the book is a character in its own book. I was unsure of the line between Benny's hallucinations and the reality of the book. Do the objects really talk? After all, the book does and it is real. But it never takes itself too seriously.
It makes sense that Ozeki is a Zen Buddhist priest. She guides the reader to look deeper, widening our perspective. This is the kind of book I love! One in which I emerge looking at life a little differently.
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Reading Progress
July 12, 2021
– Shelved
July 12, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
November 27, 2021
–
Started Reading
December 5, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021-favorites
December 5, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-17 of 17 (17 new)
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John
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rated it 5 stars
Dec 05, 2021 08:08AM
Great review, Lisa! I also loved this book.
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John wrote: "Great review, Lisa! I also loved this book." Thank you John - it is an amazing book.
Awesome review, Lisa!
I just picked this up from my library yesterday. I have to finish the one I'm on before I can start though. I hadn't realized it was so long.
Fran wrote: "Awesome review, Lisa!" Thank you Fran.
Diane wrote: "I just picked this up from my library yesterday. I have to finish the one I'm on before I can start though. I hadn't realized it was so long." It is long but it didn't seem long to me. I did listen to it...
Elyse wrote: "I like the spell you fell under --- I did too.....I could actually read this book again --
I bet I'd get even more --
In some ways its hard to describe -isn't it -- yet --sooooo good!!!
I'm surpr..."It is hard to describe and so amazing but maybe isn't for everyone? I would read anything Ruth Ozeki writes...
Ruth Ozeki is amazing and I shall read whatever she writes. She's so clever and insightful. So glad you enjoyed this crazy book. His Momma, Annabelle was tragic, but so devoted to Benny. Even when Benny got into trouble, she understood him. And Benny....a boy who just wanted to be. Loved it all.
Barbara wrote: "Ruth Ozeki is amazing and I shall read whatever she writes. She's so clever and insightful. So glad you enjoyed this crazy book. His Momma, Annabelle was tragic, but so devoted to Benny. Even when ..."Barbara, I agree about Ozeki. It was a long wait for this novel. Hope her next one comes along sooner!
I recently read Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being and am still thinking about it. Love your review of this one. I certainly want to get to it.
Kerry wrote: "I recently read Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being and am still thinking about it. Love your review of this one. I certainly want to get to it." Kerry, that is such a wonderful book. This one is very different - each Ozeki novel is so original.
Fantastic review, Lisa! Looking forward to reading this book 💜
"I emerge looking at life a little differently." Not to mention thinking about some things differently.
Cathrine ☯️ wrote: ""I emerge looking at life a little differently." Not to mention thinking about some things differently." Oh yes!
I really enjoyed this book too. When dealing with such difficult subjects it helps to have a bit of levity and magical realism. I think It would be incredibly hard to sustain interest and/or enjoyment if this wasn’t woven through the story. I really enjoyed and related to your review Lisa
Tundra wrote: "I really enjoyed this book too. When dealing with such difficult subjects it helps to have a bit of levity and magical realism. I think It would be incredibly hard to sustain interest and/or enjoym..." Thank you so much Tundra!
