After the tragic death of his beloved musician father, fourteen-year-old Benny Oh begins to hear voices. The voices belong to the things in his house--a sneaker, a broken Christmas ornament, a piece of wilted lettuce. Although Benny doesn't understand what these things are saying, he can sense their emotional tone; some are pleasant, a gentle hum or coo, but others are snide, angry and full of pain. When his mother, Annabelle, develops a hoarding problem, the voices grow more clamorous.

This is just a bare outline for this book as it is much, much more. The book covers a range of topics such as loss, grief, art, poetry and philosophy. This is definitely a worthy read.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

My thanks to Canongate and Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

The Book of Form and Emptiness is certainly a strange book, a story about loss and coping, about depression and mental illness, about friends and support systems, and of course, about books, for it is a book that tells us the story, and books play a role in it in more than one way. But it is also a book that covers a lot of ground—and gives one a lot to think about as well.

In the story we meet the Oh family—Kenji, a half-Japanese and half-Korean musician who plays in a Jazz band is married to Annabelle, who is white, and they have one son Benjamin or Benny who is 13 going on 14. At the start of the story itself, Kenji who both drinks and is into drugs dies in a rather tragic accident. Both Annabelle and Benny are heartbroken and while Annabelle loves Benny and tries to do her best for him, the two begin to not only drift apart but also fall into their own spirals of depression. Annabelle who had left library school which she loved to take a job in media monitoring for large companies to meet growing expenses is struggling to keep her job (her skills being found redundant) and only finds solace in buying little things and hoarding—she has no friends or support from any quarters. Benny on the other hand begins to hear things—'inanimate’ daily objects from windows to scissors speaking to him—and telling him of their own pain and things they have witnessed. And when he acts upon this, he is diagnosed with mental illness and even hospitalised. His solace lies in the public library, the only place where he finds comfort (and has since he was little). Here and at the hospital he makes friends with an old hobo—a poet/philosopher who loves his vodka, and whom they call the Bottleman (His first name is Slavoj; this and his views had me thinking that he might probably be based on Zizek, but I can’t really say with certainly not having read enough of his work) and a girl Alice/Athena who goes by the name the Aleph (from Borges), whom Benny falls in love with. From them he gets support and understanding while for Annabelle, some magic begins to work when a Marie Kondo like volume, written in this case by a zen monk, falls into her hands (pretty literally).

But this is just a bare outline for this book is much much more. And even in telling its story it is very different from anything I’ve read for here it is, as I wrote, a book that is telling the story. The book of Benny’s life—each chapter is told to us by the book somewhat like a third person narrator, but there are times when Benny is not communicating with ‘his’ book and this reflects in the narration. Interspersed are chapters where either Benny is speaking directly to us (or rather to his book), or the book is addressing us.

As I wrote the book covers a lot of ground—it isn’t only the characters’ personal stories, but also themes of loss and grief, philosophy (the ideas and story of Walter Benjamin, Zen thought and approaches to life, among others) and art (the work Angelus Novus by artist Paul Klee, the climate change/global disaster themed snow globes that the Aleph creates, at some level Annabelle’s crafts), poetry (little ones that Kenji wrote using fridge magnets), consumerism and decluttering, global warming and climate change, and mental illness and ‘normalcy’—so so much that it would be a little hard writing about it all, and even doing justice to it really.

But it was a book that certainly had me thinking all through—on mental illness for instance—on how ‘normal’ is defined and considered—whether we really need to push everyone into those narrow understandings, and also how misunderstanding a person can end up furthering the pressures they are already under like Benny’s doctor ends up doing here.

Then of course there is life itself—how do we understand it, what we make of it—how we cope with loss, the role that friends and support systems play—and how these might come from rather different quarters, even when we are not expecting or looking for them. Sometimes there is a little bit of magic that helps us along, as it does with these characters—here of course, the magic is related to books!

I liked all the characters in the story, flawed though most of them were, and watching Annabelle and Benny spiral down into their own emotional troubles did get me emotional as well; one kept wanting things to turn out right, and yet wondering whether they would, and how.

This is a difficult book to review since it has so much in it which is difficult to capture in a few (ok, I know I’ve already written more than a few words)—but a wonderful experience to read, and one that had me not only engaged but thinking all through—a book whose impact one can best feel when reading it rather than when it’s described.

Definitely recommended.

p.s. Just in case I've made it sound too dreary and sombre, it isn't really, there are plenty of uplifting moments.

The Book of Form And Emptiness is the story of Benny growing up after losing his dad at the age of 13. I had not read anything by Ozeki before but really enjoyed her completely original and moving storytelling so will definitely seek out her other work. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

In The Book of Form and Emptiness, her fourth novel and first work of fiction to appear since 2013’s enormously successful A Tale For the Time Being, Ruth Ozeki combines sombre themes with deft, light-hearted prose and a cast of memorable characters to create a book that is as generous as it is compelling. Meditating on mental health, growing up, motherhood, social expectations, loneliness and consumerism, she also works in a dizzying array of cultural references and Zen Buddhist teachings. And, in a creative move that requires just a little faith on the part of the reader, The Book of Form and Emptiness is also a love letter to literature, with all its healing and revealing powers.

[. . .]

The prevailing tone of the novel, is what makes The Book of Form and Emptiness such a delight to read. Though it does indeed concern itself with ‘the gravity of being human’, never flippant about the very real problems each of the characters faces, it does so with a slightly wry smile, as though urging us not to take things too seriously. Many of the challenges Benny and Annabelle must overcome are caused, after all, by forces external to them. Once they begin to let go of consumerism and the pressure society exerts on them, listening instead more closely to their internal voices, they move gradually towards the lightness that has been constantly present in the novel, even if not always attainable.

It could sound saccharine, but this is where Ozeki’s skill lies – as in the chapter in which a motley crew of homeless library patrons help Annabelle to de-clutter her home. There is great potential here for things to become cloying, but instead the feel-good nature of the scene is undercut by droll humour and an abrupt ending that is entirely of the real world. Again and again, Ozeki makes use of language and sharp observation to convey the ironies of life, all the while nudging the reader gently towards acceptance of a profounder message. The form and emptiness referenced in the title aren’t just physical objects and loneliness, but can also be an experience far more fulfilling, akin to the poetry which is also composed of these things. [. . .] Looking closely at the world around her, from the sublime to the ridiculous, the big things to the small, Ozeki has taken various all-too-human problems and reshaped them into something beautiful.

[excerpted from the full review available on my blog]

The Book of Form and Emptiness is a compassionate book that is filled with ideas, and an original, inventive coming-of-age tale about grief and loss and mental health, and our modern, all-consuming obsession with acquiring materialistic possessions. It is also a story about the vital relationship between a boy and his very own book. At the beginning of the story, we are introduced to 13-year-old Benny Oh who, after the sudden death of his beloved jazz musician father in a tragic and stupid accident, begins to hear voices. First, the voice of his dad which isn't all that uncommon after the passing of a loved one and very often people will hear their voice, but then eventually it tapers off and fades away. But with Benny, it doesn't taper and fade, it amplifies. However, later he begins to hear voices which he realises are emanating from the inanimate objects in his house: a Christmas ornament, a piece of mouldy cheese. Strangely he can hear objects chattering away to themselves as though it was entirely normal including teapots, marbles and sharpened pencils, babbling in anger or distress. At the same time, his widowed mother Annabelle finds comfort in shopping and struggles with a hoarding problem. As the voices grow louder at home and at school, life becomes increasingly tricky for Benny.

In the novel, the reaction to Benny admitting that he hears voices is dramatic. His junior high school sends him straight to a psychiatrist who puts him on medication, and from the outside, it looks very much as though Benny is having some sort of mental breakdown. This constant cacophony of voices causes Benny to suffer until he eventually finds refuge at a large public library swaddled in the beautiful swells of silence. Libraries are often filled with talking objects, but books know how to speak in their library voices. They know how to whisper. In this place of sanctuary, Benny starts to meet some of the wonderful denizens of the library: a homeless and wheelchair-bound philosopher-poet named Slavoj from Slovenia; a young performance artist he recognises from the psychiatric hospital and falls in love with; and librarians with potent magical powers because, of course, all librarians have magical powers. But the most important relationship he forms there is with a very special book. It’s his book. The book speaks to him, as books do, and begins to narrate his life. In doing so, the book helps Benny find a way not only to be with all the voices but helps him find his own, too, beginning a very important conversation.

This is a captivating, beguiling and deeply moving story about grief, resilience, creativity and psychological difference. It is about the importance of reading and is an acutely perceptive observation of the mess consumer culture and capitalism has gotten us into. It is also an affirmation of the power of community. It is funny, kind, wise, urgent and completely irresistible. As an ardent book advocate, a novel about finding solace in between the pages as you traverse the globe without taking even a single step outside your front door spoke to me. At its heart, it's a paean to the peace and respite that can be found between the covers of a great book. An epic, illuminating tale with both a sprawling and intimate feel, it explores a spirited young person who is grappling with emotional and mental health challenges and coming of age in an increasingly cacophonous and surreal-seeming world. It draws on Zen principles of interconnectedness and impermanence (the form and emptiness of its title) to examine our relationship with the material world and the planet. But at its core, it is the story about a boy and a book, a book that helps him find his voice and teaches him how to listen to what really matters. Highly recommended.

This is really a book about grief. After the death of Benny Oh's father when he is just a young teen, Benny begins to hear the voices of things - of books and toy ducks, of shoes and of pens. His mother goes into a slow decline, surrounding herself with things. We get Benny's perspective, alongside his mother's and even the book's, as he struggles with the voices in and outside of his head.

The Book of Form and Emptiness is well written and emotionally stirring. I did however find it a bit of a slow read. I was able to put it down without feeling the rush to pick it up again. I felt there was some repetitiveness with both Benny and his mother's stories. Plus - I think because I'm a mother of a (nearly) teen myself - I found myself empathising with Benny's mum when I don't think I was supposed to. I wished Benny thought more about what she was going through, her limited world and options. But I suppose that's the point. Teenagers, broadly speaking, are selfish.

So a good book, but occasionally I wished it had a little more drive (or was a little shorter). Rounded up to 4. (I like everything 3 and over!)

The Book of Form & Emptiness
by Ruth Ozeki

I have read all of Ozeki's early works. So, I was excited to see that they were releasing a new book and really happy when the publisher granted my Netgalley request. I was not disappointed. This book lived up to and surpassed my expectations. Please forgive this patchy review, but the book relies on surprise. You get a much better reading experience if you go in blind.

A father dies. A mother and son mourn. The son undergoes a painful journey of healing. This beautifully written work is an exploration of mental health and well-being. It looks at mourning and loss. The author uses the work to explore our relationship with physical objects and the things that truly make us happy. This book mixes fantasy and reality to explore its issues. The books experimental style reinforces the characters' mental state. Book lovers will love that this work explores the art of reading, writing, and our relationship with books.

This book keeps you reading and thinking. It is full of humanity and shimmers with life, even in its darkest moments.

The Book of Form & Emptiness is a long book that requires your full attention and commitment. And it repays you 10 times your effort. It is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. The writing is utterly beautiful and the story is unique and original. I'll definitely have a look at the author's previous books, because I was absolutely mesmerised by this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I saw that the author of A Tale for the Time Being had a new book coming out I had to get my hands on a copy as I’d loved that book so much.

I was a bit shocked when my Kindle told me it would take me 13 hours to read the book as it normally guesses at about 6 hours for most things I download, the print version is 560 pages long. For this book I recommend getting a print copy, as the actual book talks to you, not a person narrating the book, but the actual book is a character and the main narrator! You can tell just from that, that the novel is high level modern literary fiction.

The story follows adolescent Benny and his mother Annabelle and how they cope after Benny’s father is accidentally killed. They don’t cope well with Benny starting to hear voices of all of the objects around him talking to him and Annabelle’s own life starts to spiral out of control. It’s a book about grief, the importance of friends, the isolation of working from home, and the dangers of mass consumerism and the value we place on objects. It even features a Marie Kondo inspired character.

I love the way that Ozeki plays with narrative and at times I worried for Annabelle whilst at other points being very frustrated by her. Right until the last moment I was holding my breath, uncertain if everything would be okay or if I was going to end the book in tears. I won’t give away any plot spoilers but if you love clever literary fiction get hold of a print copy.

Thank you to @canongatebooks for gifting me an advance ebook, it’s published next week.

I very much enjoyed this book. It's long but never felt padded - there was nothing I would have wanted to leave out. It's compassionate and wise and often funny, though dealing with dark subjects - death, grief, madness and the inability to cope with ordinary life. Benny is a wonderful character - a teenage boy with all teenage boys' angst and his own special version of it - hearing the voices of things. Annabelle, his mother, is clearly defined, with her own minor insanities. The Aleph too - a teenage girl with an old soul. And I particularly liked the Bottleman - poet, hobo and guru. But even the minor characters are well-defined. Freddie's mania leaps off the page though he only appears a couple of times.

There is another strand to the book, too - that of the Buddhist nun who has written a book called Tidy Magic, which Annabelle hopes will help her to rise out of her cluttered life.

Add to this the Library, the Book, snippets from other books, stories from other times and places, and the whole becomes a glorious rich tapestry.

I had not come across Ruth Ozeki before but I will now certainly seek out her other books. Thankyou NetGalley.

This book is about a boy who starts experiencing auditory hallucinations after the death of his father. An interesting and unusual book about love, loss, mental health and people's relationship to things, but ultimately not for me.

I loved Ruth Ozeki's previous novel but I'm afraid this one didn't hit the spot with me. Annabel and Benny's heartfelt story of navigating grief is very touching but the interventions of The Book were just too much for me. At times, I almost felt like I was reading a young adult novel rather than general literature. I am sure The Book of Form & Emptiness will find its public – Ruth Ozeki's generosity and optimism still illuminates every page – but not my type of thing.

Really enjoyed this book. It was completely not what I was expecting and a very original story. I enjoyed the Marie Kondo references. The vibe from the overall book I felt was very The Book Thief. The characters were portrayed very vividly and whilst some of their actions were frustrating they were still very much in keeping with what the character would do.

Central to 'The Book of Form and Emptiness' by Ruth Ozeki is the impact of death on the loved ones left behind. Interwoven with this, are meditations on current issues such as climate change and how we treat the objects in our lives.

Ozeki's style of writing reminded me of Ali Smith who I love. Both writers use flights of fancy and interesting literary devices to discuss contemporary issues. However, whilst I really enjoyed Ozeki's last novel I found this one a struggle. Many have found this profound and moving, but I found it overly long. To me it felt preoccupied with what it wanted to say, and the form it would take, as opposed to the plot; meaning for me it really was a book of form and emptiness.

A hugely ambitious book about writing and ideas arranged around the story of a thirteen year old who, after the death of his father, begins to hear voices. These aren’t spectral but attached to objects, a broken ornament, a shoe and various other objects. In the real world, he’ll come across characters- some real, some fictional and through this concoction will find a way through his life. I found this novel maddening, inspiring, discursive and original. It demands your attention and, for a lot of time, repays the investment.

Ah I'm not really sure what I thought of this book. I requested from netgalley on a whim because I adored A Tale for the Time Being. The Book of Form and Emptiness was written the same beautiful style which got my though all 500+ pages.

The book is about Benny, a 13 year old boy who suffers great tragedy as a young kid when his father dies. The book focuses on Benny's following mental illness (he hears voices and hallucinates) and his mother Annabelle's grief.

Annabelle's story broke my heart. She had a rough childhood herself and found happiness with her husband Kenji until he died and left her to care for their increasingly sick son. She is facing job loss due to technological advances, has a hoarding problem partly due to the nature of her work and has no true friendships or family so is an incredibly lonely woman.

Benny's story focuses on his times in and out of hospital, his difficulties with school and his relationship with his mother Annabelle. Ruth Ozeki made it really difficult to tell which of the people in his life were real and which ones were hallucinations. Even the medical professionals couldn't tell.

Overall this was a well written book with a really heartbreaking relationship between mother and son and the centre. I'm just not sure how I feel about it.

Ozeki has written an impressive and thought-provoking novel infusing different genres and providing multiple povs, some from inanimate objects. The narrative touches on loss, guilt, love, family. The mother and son are clearly hurting but also very much unmoored from one another. Poignant and moving this is a magical novel.

This book demands your attention, in many ways. The 'story' part of the narrative is engaging. The characters are drawn with a keen and sympathetic eye and you feel empathy with their plights. The 'form' sections adds a dynamic layer where the reader is taken into an annex to consider the value of storytelling and story-reading. Maybe the book is a little to long to maintain the commitment required.
Thanks to the publisher (a favourite of mine) and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

There is a lot to unpack in this lengthy novel: The Book of Form and Emptiness demands your commitment. As you'd expect from a book about storytelling, there are so many layers to the narrative, whole constellations of characters and allegories to uncover.

It's complex and often intense, but ultimately it's a charming rumination on the nature of being and finding meaning in a mad world.

A book that was moving in such a curious way, touching on dark topics with such sensitivity and grace, I really resonated with it. The two voices carrying the book were intriguing and the depth of emotion infused spanned the whole spectrum.. Overall, with imagery and themes of family and grief, The Book of Form and Emptiness was such a heart-breaking but uplifting read.