Book Recommendation/Review
Book: A Tale for the Time Being
Author: Ruth Ozeki
As a student, it’s certain that you’ll be required to read book after book for your courses but sometimes it’s nice to kick back and relax with a book of your own choosing. If you need a good book to get you started on your leisure-reading journey, I have the perfect book for you!Â
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
“A time being is someone who lives in time, and that means you, and me, and every one of us who is, or was, or will ever be.”
International Bestseller, A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki is a breathtaking tale of two very different lives that slowly merge together. After finding a diary washed up on shore, Ruth embarks on a life-changing journey through the pages of sixteen-year-old Japanese girl, Nao Yasutani’s life. Living on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Ruth works on writing a memoir but, meanwhile, feels as if “her own life was passing her by”. Across the sea and perhaps from another time, Nao Yasutani contemplates suicide after struggling with relentless bullying and her father’s worsening depression. Pouring through each page of Nao’s diary, Ruth immerses herself into Nao’s world day by day and forges somewhat of a spiritual connection with the young yet wise girl displayed on the pages. Through each new diary entry and experience, Ruth is able to look into her own life and find happiness within her current reality.Â
My take:
 I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from start to finish. Alternating between Nao’s diary and Ruth’s life, it’s fascinating to witness the soundless communication between two complete strangers. Nao’s chapters are some of the most intense sections to read because of her unapologetic honesty about all of the ugly that she witnesses in her life. Behind the flashing lights and neon signs, Nao peels back Tokyo’s glimmering facade to reveal much darker realities. As I read through Nao’s experiences with bullying at school, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of sadness and anger. How could any teacher or classmate let such terrible things happen to this innocent girl, or anyone for that matter? Despite my mounting anger and pain during such entries, Nao seems to maintain her composure through the worst of times and somehow finds a way to make sense of these events and move forward.Â
There are various moments within the novel where the reader is forced to think deeply and more philosophically about life which can be heavy at times. However, this opportunity for introspection is a great way to stop the noise of everyday life and think about how to live life optimistically. I could go on, but exploring the highs and lows within the book on your own is what makes the reading experience so phenomenal.Â
If you’re interested…
This novel is ideal for any busy student since the diary format allows you to stop and pick up the story again at any point. A chapter or two a day will do the trick! You can learn more about Ruth Ozeki and her other works through this link.
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