Contemporary Fiction: The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

Eight years ago in 2013, I was excited just from reading the title for A Tale for the Time Being, the first book I read by Ruth Ozeki. Today I will talk about her latest novel, The Book of Form and Emptiness, which follows a mother and her teenage son as they manage their grief.

The Situation: Benny Oh lives in San Francisco with his mother Annabelle. For the most part, he has the usual struggles and issues that come from being a teenage boy who is forced to attend high school: He has a hard time getting along with some of the kids at school; his mother embarrasses him; he wishes she would stop storing her stuff in his room; and he would rather spend his days at the library, because even skipping school to go to the mall would mean dealing with more people. To make matters more difficult, Benny's father died in a tragic accident a few years ago, and both he and his mother are dealing with their grief in different ways. Of course Annabelle is willing to do whatever it takes to help her son, though that usually means she also neglects her own needs.

The Problem: Benny Oh hears voices. And they are not the kind we usually read about that live in someone's head. What Benny hears are objects that are speaking to him, most of the time in a language he does not understand, but he captures the emotional tone. Most are nice and gentle, but others are mean and angry, even spiteful. And when he nearly follows through on a command given by a pair scissors, it lands him in a psychiatric ward for children. But this is where he meets Alice, who is possibly his first real friend. Meanwhile, Annabelle is focused on her son and holding onto her job, if nothing else. Sure, she finds time to shop at the thrift store and the craft shop, but that only adds to the amount of stuff piling around the house, stuff that can speak to Benny. If Annabelle could find her own social community to connect with, and if Benny could learn to listen to the voices that really matter, this mother and son will have a chance of getting through all of this together.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in San Francisco around 2016, as there is mention (in vague terms) of the presidential election and the unrest that followed. Most of Benny's adventures happen in one of three places, his home, his school, and the San Francisco Public Library. The library is where Benny often escapes, as he remembers going there with his mother as a child and loving it. The story opens with the book introducing itself, and then introducing Benny, before moving onto the first scene, the death of Benny's father, Kenji. As the story is told, Benny will often interject to say how he felt about a certain event, or even to admonish the book for giving too much detail, or too little, or for not getting more involved. Benny's voices will lead to a series of often harmful, though possibly well-intentioned, misdiagnoses, and his mother's hoarding will go unchecked. While it can probably be said that Benny is the main focus, Annabelle's struggle is just as important. 

My Verdict: This book is frustrating. That does not mean that it was not good or that it was not enjoyable, but my goodness...we all know that moment when you start yelling at the characters of a horror movie, telling them to not run upstairs or go down into the basement. For me, that was this book, especially when it comes to Annabelle in nearly everything she does. But if anything, that means Ozeki was successful is presenting the struggle of someone who wants to do better, but needs more help than what they have to get there. Neither Annabelle nor Benny is over Kenji's death, and grief can be a terrible thing. What I enjoyed most are the moments at the library, and getting to explore all of the different floors and rooms and sections. It is a well-written book, but there are moments that will certainly try your patience.

Favorite Moment: Mrs. Wong is Annabelle's landlord. She makes a return after a lengthy time away after breaking her hip, and it is possibly the most relieved I felt during the entire 500+ pages of the book.

Favorite Character: All of the characters are frustrating in their own way, even the side characters of Alice, and the homeless man that Benny meets on the bus. I will pick Cory, the nice librarian who comes to Benny's rescue in more ways than one.

Recommended Reading: I do recommend Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being. It is a different kind of adventure, but told in the same unhurried, intentional, and methodical style.