Reviews

Perhaps it is because this is the first non-technical, purely for fun reading that I’ve done in a while, but as a very casual reader whose only hunger is representation in stories, I was very pleased with this book. As a Japanese American who grew up working a produce stand and who is currently living through a polarized political climate in which the right to ones own organs and bones, tendons and other fleshy matter, I was bought in.

Through the plot, we arrive at the center of everything, the crossroads of supposed opposites: science and religion, old and new, society and individuality. The experience of reading was perhaps suggestive of the subject matter itself; it very much felt like I was running through a growing season. Moments of sheltering, huddling, not particularly driving or visceral were sleepy and a prepared lull or hibernation during episodes of Cass trying to engage Will, an unwilling participant In conversation. Moments of action, movement, growth, nurturing, sweetness.

megankateabraham's review against another edition

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5.0

Ruth Ozeki is my new favorite author. Nuff said.

eyelit's review

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emotional informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

kdahlo's review against another edition

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4.0

I liked this, not as much as I liked the other Ruth Ozeki books I have read. Still, it was solid and not a terrible treatment of GMO issues, although it comes out a little more black and white than I might have liked. Maybe if I knew more about meat production I would have felt similarly about 'My Year of Meats'. In general it had a lot of similar themes to that book: contaminated food, fertility, family.

readingtheend's review against another edition

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3.0

Ruth Ozeki is such a particular writer. I love that her books feel so textured, like you can physically feel the surfaces people are touching. this isn't my type of book really -- A Tale for the Time Being wasn't either, but that one got me in on the characters and ideas enough that it didn't matter. it didn't happen to happen for this book but I'm still glad I read it. Ruth Ozeki is cool.

kelseyraerussell's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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