Play Book Tag discussion

The Book of Form and Emptiness was the last book I read in 2021, and it was one of the more challenging books I read this year. I think it was brilliant, imaginative, depressing, timely, and sometimes profound. The book begins with the death of musician Jenji Oh who leaves his wife Annabelle and his 14 year old son Benny. Benny starts hearing his father’s voice, then other voices or sounds that seem to be coming from objects. (Many possible diagnoses are discussed, including schizophrenia.) He is constantly teased in school, so he skips school and retreats to the large city library, which feels safe and comforting. He eventually learns to listen to books, including the one telling the story of his life. I loved the way the author wrote about the objects and "the book," and I think many book lovers would enjoy this aspect of the book. The library is practically another character in this book.

This book explores many ideas related to the things we accumulate in our lives, and how they affect us. Marie Kondo fans, might find this theme particularly appealing. When Annabelle’s life starts to feel out of control, she encounters a book: Tidy Magic: The Ancient Zen Art of Clearing your Clutter and Revolutionizing your Life by a Zen monk. Since Benji was once a Zen monk, she feels an instant connection to the book. On the other side of the world, we meet the female Zen monk who wrote the book, and she periodically makes an appearance in the book. The first book I read by Ruth Ozeki also had a Zen nun as a major character, and I learned that she herself has similar training.

The author brings in other characters with fascinating side stories (or comic relief). My favorite was the character of Alice aka "the Aleph," a girl Benny first met in the hospital. There is a Slovenian Poet and philosopher who is respected by the street kids, and a network of people who help them. The library itself feels like a character, with its architecture, regulars, staff, and the mysterious binding room. It reminded me that libraries play an important role in the lives of many mentally ill and homeless people in the community.

I don't normally shy away from books about mental illness, but I felt the weight of this one, as trouble bore down on both Benny and his mother. Annabelle attempted to be cheerful, but she was facing difficulties of her own. The middle of the book really dragged for me as their troubles grew, and it took some effort to return to the book. I give the author a lot of credit for not making the mother a side character, as seems to be so common in books with a young main character. It would be easy to view her as a pitiable, hapless character, but the author showed us many more sides to her. I enjoyed the additional layers and complexity. Her job as a news archivist brought in some interesting topics as well.

The author addresses many interesting philosophical ideas, social commentary, and historical events. Writers and poets might appreciate a lot of what the poet has to say. The title for the book comes from a Buddhist quote about ‘form and emptiness’ and the term is used by one of the characters to describe how difficult it is to write poetry. There were several environmental references in the book as well. I was particularly taken by the discussion of how the photographs of the earth (the blue marble) affected the way human beings viewed themselves and the planet (in paradoxical ways).

Audio notes: The audio was pretty good, but I didn't really like the way the male narrator voiced Annabelle and other female characters. Some might not like the voice used for the 14 year old. A chief benefit to the audio is how it clarifies the difference between Benny's dialogue, and the voices he hears. In the book they are both punctuated the same way, so it's not clear what he says out loud. The tone of voice used for Benny's inner critic was harsh. We all have an inner critic, so it might be easier than I think for everyone to recognize it in print.

Excellent review, Nancy! I'm considering reading the book. Would you say that mental illness is the major theme? What seemed to be so problematic in the middle that it was hard for you to return to reading the book?

Wow! What a great review. Inspired me to put the book on my list. Will get it next week. A great beginning to a new year. Thanks. peace, janz

Holly R W wrote: "Excellent review, Nancy! I'm considering reading the book. Would you say that mental illness is the major theme? What seemed to be so problematic in the middle that it was hard for you to return to..."

Thanks Holly. The book is worth the effort. Mental illness is one theme (or a context), but it's also questioned by the characters and by the frequently changing diagnoses. The book subtly questions views of illness, and asks "what is reality." Other themes include our relationship to things, to the world, grief, interconnectedness, clutter, Zen attitudes, what makes meaning, drug use, puberty, and more. I enjoyed the Japanese topics in the book, including the earthquake, and the Zen monks.

My problem in the middle was probably due to the length of the book, distractions, a topic that hit too close to comfort, and a character I didn't quite get. It was hard for me to spend so much time with Annabelle's pain. When the clutter starting growing higher around her, it hit a sore spot for me. Part of it was stuff she needed to archive for her job. It made me flash back to boxes and piles of exams and materials that I had to save for years when I was teaching. Parts of the story ( related to Walter Benjamin) went over my head, so I might go back and explore that.

I liked the ending of the book so much, I'm listening to parts of it again. If I wasn't reading it at the end of the year, I would have let it sit a while longer, and return to it when I craved it (which I would have). I took breaks while reading A Tale for the Time Being and it increased my enjoyment.

NancyJ wrote: "Holly R W wrote: "Excellent review, Nancy! I'm considering reading the book. Would you say that mental illness is the major theme? What seemed to be so problematic in the middle that it was hard fo..."

Thanks, Nancy, for explaining. It sounds like this is a meaty book that provokes a lot of thoughts. Some of the topics you mention are difficult ones.

Peacejanz wrote: "Wow! What a great review. Inspired me to put the book on my list. Will get it next week. A great beginning to a new year. Thanks. peace, janz"

I hope you love it.