The Book of Form and Emptiness
 First edition (US) | |
| Author | Ruth Ozeki |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Viking (US) Canongate Books (UK) |
Publication date | September 21, 2021 |
| Pages | 560pp |
| ISBN | 9781838855277 |
| OCLC | 1287597597 |
| 813.6 | |
The Book of Form and Emptiness is a novel by American author Ruth Ozeki, published in 2021 by Viking. Ozeki's fourth novel, the book won the 2022 Women's Prize for Fiction. The story follows a boy who hears voices from inanimate objects while the narrative explores themes of mental illness and bereavement.[1]
Background[edit]
The novel was partially inspired by Zen Buddhism. A question from a Zen parable; "do insentient beings speak the dharma?” formed the central theme of the narrative. The death of Ozeki's father also shaped the book. Ozeki took eight years to write the book.[2]
The library that plays a central role in the story is based on Vancouver Public Library. Ozeki previously spent time in the system's central branch researching her 1998 debut novel, My Year of Meats.[3]
Summary[edit]
Following the death of his father, Benny Oh, a Canadian boy of Japanese-Korean descent,[4] begins hearing voices calling out from inanimate objects. Oh's relationship with his mother, an archivist and hoarder, deteriorates and he begins spending time in a public library, befriending a group of outsiders including an artist and a poet.[5]
The story is mostly narrated by the book itself. Some sections of the novel are narrated by Oh.[6]
Reception[edit]
The novel received mixed reviews. The Guardian praised Ozeki's "calm, dry, methodical good humour and wit".[5] The Washington Post described the narrative as "cluttered" but also described the book as "compelling".[7] The Daily Telegraph described the book as "a preachy, whimsical mess".[8]
Awards[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Book review: The Book of Form & Emptiness, by Ruth Ozeki". Scotsman.com.
- ^ "'Can objects teach us about reality?': Ruth Ozeki on her Women's prize-winning novel". The Guardian. June 17, 2022.
- ^ "Ruth Ozeki's new novel, The Book of Form and Emptiness, draws inspiration from Vancouver Public Library". The Georgia Straight. October 14, 2021.
- ^ "The Book of Form and Emptiness: A Novel | Washington Independent Review of Books".
- ^ a b "The Book of Form & Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki review – a Zen chorus". The Guardian. October 6, 2021.
- ^ "Ian Mond Reviews The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki". Locusmag.com. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ "If a book could talk, what would it say? Ruth Ozeki has some ideas". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ Scholes, Lucy (June 29, 2022). "How on earth did this preachy, whimsical mess win the 2022 Women's Prize?". Telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ "The Book of Form and Emptiness". Womensprizeforfiction.co.uk. Retrieved 24 July 2022.