A tale for the Time Being

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki is a meta fiction novel that expresses interesting concepts about time and life. This book features two perspectives told both in the present and past. Both narrators are Japanese- American, so it was a new perspective for me to listen to.  This book was very new and intense for me as I am accustomed to reading typical young adult novels, but I really enjoyed this novel. It felt close to home as some of setting is by Vancouver Island. The rest of the setting takes place in Tokyo. The novel brings up  topics like mental health and suicide, while also expressing some good messages. This book makes you realize that even a small act can have great benefits or consequences to others and everyone has their own superpower. It will shock you with its gory details and intense descriptions of traumatic events, but, will also inform you with random bits of knowledge and wisdom in contrast. I would highly recommend this book to someone looking for something more deep to read that is still in the young adult novel kind of area. This would be a great book for any school projects or novel studies
Summary: Ruth, a novelist, finds a diary washed up on a small island by British Columbia and suspects it to be debris from the 2011 Japan tsunami. She is quickly consumed by the fascinating and intense stories of Nao, a teenage girl living in Tokyo who goes through many traumatic events leading her to desire committing suicide.
-Krishma S.


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