[WPF] The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki - 4 stars

[Jen K]

Read March 21 and finally writing a much delayed review. This book was intense. I needed some time to process.

Benny Oh's father tragically dies after passing out in the alley by their home. Neither Benny or his mother manage well with his death. Benny starts to hear voices both of inanimate objects around him but also inner voices including a very angry and abusive inner critic. His mental health slides him into being committed at the local hospital for a bit missing his 8th grade graduation. While Benny hides tries to remove as many objects and distractions from his life, his mother does the opposite first storing the newspapers and discs for work until she is develops a serious hoarding problem which may lead to an eviction from their home. She is barely able to make ends meet while also desperately trying to reconnect to Benny. Eventually Benny finds some solace in the library where the voices are quiet and he finds friends. His mom finds solace in a decluttering book from a Buddhist nun in Japan.

There are many stories and voices throughout the book telling the story of Benny and his mother. The teen angst in Benny which is worsened by mental health is so acutely painful that I would need to pause to reflect on my gratitude of being decades out of those emotional teen years. Benny's mom is also so broken and at a loss as her every attempt to reconnect with Benny and keep them afloat seem to go amiss. The side characters and eventual support system are lovely, interesting but also difficult. There is just so much going on but I appreciated each branch of the journey. Ozeki is a powerful writer. She tackles difficult topics, weaves in environmental awareness and writes characters so real. I look forward to her next project.