The Woman's Virtual Shortlist Festival
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- Anniemouse
- Posts: 1362
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2020 10:23 am
Re: The Woman's Virtual Shortlist Festival
I am still trying as well.
- Anniemouse
- Posts: 1362
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2020 10:23 am
Re: The Woman's Virtual Shortlist Festival
Just as a postscript I bought the book called "The Book of Form and Emptiness" by Ruth Ozeki and have just finished reading it.
It is over 560 pages long and Jason's reading is in the early chapters. It focuses on the lives of a widowed mother who is traumatised and hoards (Annabelle) a mentally ill teenagager (Benny * Annabelle's son) A homeless poet, The Aleph a homeless meantally ill female teen artist, two Japanesae Zen nuns and a character called the book where the inner thoughts and feelings of the book (a voice that Benny hears) informs the reader just how books feel and how it helps and interacts with Benny.
It is not a fun book but I got lost in the characters and wanted things to work out for the better for them when things fell apart. Themes of mental illess and how it is treated in society, Zen teachings and lives lived on the margins really drew me in and I loved this novel. Ruth Ozeki is a wonderful writer and the pages flew by even though the book feels like a brick.
My only criticism is that the ending is really abrupt all resolved in a page even though there are threads left dangling.
I do need a break after this but I do recommend it and I hope to read some of Ozeki's other novels in the near future.
It is over 560 pages long and Jason's reading is in the early chapters. It focuses on the lives of a widowed mother who is traumatised and hoards (Annabelle) a mentally ill teenagager (Benny * Annabelle's son) A homeless poet, The Aleph a homeless meantally ill female teen artist, two Japanesae Zen nuns and a character called the book where the inner thoughts and feelings of the book (a voice that Benny hears) informs the reader just how books feel and how it helps and interacts with Benny.
It is not a fun book but I got lost in the characters and wanted things to work out for the better for them when things fell apart. Themes of mental illess and how it is treated in society, Zen teachings and lives lived on the margins really drew me in and I loved this novel. Ruth Ozeki is a wonderful writer and the pages flew by even though the book feels like a brick.
My only criticism is that the ending is really abrupt all resolved in a page even though there are threads left dangling.
I do need a break after this but I do recommend it and I hope to read some of Ozeki's other novels in the near future.
- thunder
- With her wheelbarrow full of surprises!
- Posts: 7175
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:08 pm
- Location: Norway
Re: The Woman's Virtual Shortlist Festival
Thanks for your review, Annie
- Anniemouse
- Posts: 1362
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2020 10:23 am
Re: The Woman's Virtual Shortlist Festival
Do you know what is odd. I have missed the book since I finished reading it!!.
- thunder
- With her wheelbarrow full of surprises!
- Posts: 7175
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:08 pm
- Location: Norway
Re: The Woman's Virtual Shortlist Festival
That means it’s a good book
- Anniemouse
- Posts: 1362
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2020 10:23 am
Re: The Woman's Virtual Shortlist Festival
I can easily recommend it to anyone on the baord. It is a commitment at 560 pages but the characters and narrative do keep you gripped and Ruth is a wonderful writer.