The Book of Form and Emptiness

by Ruth Ozeki

Our words that night were for each other. Every boy has a book in him, Benny, but not every boy can hear it when it speaks. Not every boy is willing to listen.

books can’t force humans to do things. All we can do is set the scene—reveal a bit of backstory, foreshadow some probable outcomes, maybe even make a suggestion or two—but mostly we just wait to see what you people choose to do. We wait, we hope. If we had fingers, we would cross them.

Blame is just another way of refusing to take responsibility for your life, and when you blame us, you give up your own power and agency.

We have to be real, even if it hurts, and that’s your doing. That was your philosophical question, remember? What is real? Every book has a question at its heart, and that was yours. Once the question is asked, it’s our job to help you find the answer. So, yes, we’re your book, Benny, but this is your story. We can help you, but in the end, only you can live your life.