A Tale for the Time Being

Difficult to describe, the writer weaves introspection, speculation and philosophy into the familiar. A writer living in the remote coastal settlement in Canada receives a diary washed up by the sea. She proceeds to read the thoughts penned by a young girl in Japan, slowly getting drawn to her and life's questions as they affect young Nao, interpreting them miles away in time and space. Beautiful.

I did not enjoy this book as I had expected to. I found myself dreading Ruth's narrative and excited for Jiko and Nao's sections. I found the quantum physics section influenced the book too late to have any real power over the story.

I feel proud being able to say that I have read this book. It taught me so many things I had no idea about (and most people my age, I am sure don't either) and it made me look at life in a whole different way. Culture, religion, environmental awareness, philosophy and psychology all blended in the best way possible to create this book which I dare say is indeed a masterpiece.