The Book of Form and Emptiness

Ruth Ozeki is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. The book is one of the best I have read and I feel that this one will will stick with me for some time. It is very similar to feel, tone, and themes as A Tale for the Time Being. I think these are is the same literary universe and could be companion books. Ms. Ozeki understands readers and know that each book is different with each reader. People may read the same words but come away with very different feelings and understandings. I loved this book.

Basically the story is of Benny Oh. His father was killed in a freak accident and soon after he begins to hear voices from different object. The main on being a book. The book of Benny. It is also about his mother Annabelle who become a hoarder. Each deals with their own mental issues separately.

I really felt of these characters as well as the secondary characters. They are so well written and complex but also easy to understand you can see yourself in this story with them.

I loved the book and I hope you give it a try. Perhaps the book is not for you. But that is okay as books have a life and perhaps this one may fall to the bottom of the pile on your nightstand. It will be sad. Don't make this book sad.