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The Book of Form and Emptiness: 100 Must-Read Books of 2021

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Ruth Ozeki spins a dazzling tale of magical realism in The Book of Form and Emptiness, in which a young boy learns the transformative power of storytelling in the wake of immense personal loss. Fourteen-year-old Benny Oh begins hearing voices after the tragic death of his father; meanwhile, his mother, debilitated by grief, has become a hoarder. In an attempt to find solace from the voices and his increasingly chaotic life, Benny turns to the quiet of his local public library, where he finds not only new friends, but also a very special book that will change life as he knows it.

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Martina Birk

Update: 2024-08-09