A Tale for the Time Being- Ozeki

Submitted by ackthisisamess t3_11c7byk in books

I just finished reading this book for the second time, and I have to say I am blown away. I think that this book is now officially on my favourites list.

I love the style of multiple narratives, Ozeki's use of descriptive yet accessible language, the character development, the flow of the plot and dialogue.

Moreover, I love books about Japan lately (probably because I miss it), and my favourite parts were probably the descriptions of the Buddhist nun.

I had been trying to find an author for a while who has a similar writing style to Murakami but without the extremely sexually explicit content. I think that Ozeki's writing differs from Murakami's, but is really just as good in her own way.

I would love to hear anyone else's opinion about this book!

And now I must find something else to read... with a Tale for the Time Being-shaped hole in my heart....

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the_scarlett_ning t1_ja278v3 wrote

Omg!! I saw your title and did a little happy dance in my kitchen that was ridiculous given my age. That was the first book of hers I read and I fell absolutely in love. It was so gorgeously done and one where I really didn’t predict where things were going, and she just blew me away.

I’ve read two of her other books, All Over Creation, and A Book of Form and Emptiness. Hi really enjoyed those as well. I don’t think either was quite the pinnacle that A Tale was, but still so damn good.

I’m waiting on reading “My Year of Meats” because I feel like it would turn me vegetarian, and trying to cook dinners all my picky family will eat is hard enough.

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the_scarlett_ning t1_ja27oz1 wrote

If you think you’d be interested, check out the book The Incarnations by Sue Barker. I had just finished that book and was looking for something similar when A Tale for the time being was recommended.

It’s got the feel of David Mitchell’s books (like Cloud Atlas), and souls mysteriously linked through time. I like A Tale better, but I really enjoyed this book too.

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chonkytardigrade t1_ja2zvek wrote

Alrighty, I just saw you recommend The Incarnations in another thread, and since I revere Ozeki and Mitchell, Barker just zoomed to the upper stack of my tbr. TY!!!

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sproutkitten t1_ja492ne wrote

I loved A Book of Form and Emptiness. One of my favorites I’ve read recently. I’m definitely going to read more

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tswiftdeepcuts t1_ja2626r wrote

This is one of my favorite books too. She has a new one out, I haven’t read it yet (too busy) but I’m excited just to know it exists haha

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bronte26 t1_ja33x2b wrote

I feel the same way. I recommend that book all the time to people of all ages. I didn't feel the same way about her next book Form and Emptiness. I also really like Murakami. Currently I am reading fifty words for Rain which takes place inJapan in the 50s.

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liquidmica t1_ja22y85 wrote

She’s a talented writer. This is the only book I’ve read by her, but I would like to read her other ones, too.

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maddycolvin16 t1_ja2p79n wrote

I just read this book a week or two ago and loved it! So so good, I didn’t want to put it down. Love the style and the different POVs

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blur_moon t1_ja3k1na wrote

I strongly recommend her short autobiography that can be finished in one sitting (though maybe not the case if you’d like to savor her words), titled Timecode of A Face. Thought-provoking, meditative and introspective. It touches a bit on Zen philosophy as well, and in it she recounts her experience of becoming a Zen Buddhist priest. It’s a piece of work I’d gladly reread multiple times!

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CreepyTarot t1_ja4ydxj wrote

LOVE this book!!!!! I think about it all the time. It deserves to be a modern classic I am so surprised more people have not read it. It is fantastic, and deeply moving.

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chonkytardigrade t1_ja30j27 wrote

I loved this book so much, too, I especially felt like Nao and her father were actual people I knew; it was a really uncanny feeling. I was moved by Ozeki's great compassion in writing about the mental health challenges of two different generations, and at the same time never letting the beauty of their lives be diminished, a theme she carried over to Form and Emptiness.

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