Overall Rating and Opinion of A Tale for the Time Being

[JessiFox]

Interesting reviews here...I've yet to read this one yet, but I'm thinking of picking it up for my never-ending "to read" stacks.

[katielgorton3]

I loved this book up until the last hundred pages or so, when it went in a totally different direction than I expected it to go. I liked the way that it made me think about time and the imagery of looking back to the past while someone there looks forward to the future. I wasn't really sure what to think about the whole introduction of quantum physics as a way to manipulate time to change the future/past. It read almost like a memoir nestled into a memoir, and then I put the book down for a moment and slipped into the Twilight Zone. It just seemed out of place to me.

I am a huge fan of meta-fiction, in any form, so that was what really sold the book for me. The semi/pseudo autobiographical story of Ruth, an author looking for a story was fascinating. It created an bond between author and reader (and the author as a reader) that I've seldom seen done before. The awareness of the story as a story, of stories within stories, made it a unique experience.

couldn't have said it better myself!

[jhollan2]

Thanks Katie! I was starting to feel a bit like the odd man out for being so blindsided and perplexed by the final direction. Glad to hear from a kindred spirit.

[wendyj]

Seems like a mixed set of reviews. I'll have to look into this one. I like the semi-autobiographical twist.

[Colette Marie]

I just started reading the book, so I'll save my opinions for later

[JillADDison]

Hmm. This is really a good book for read

[klomen16]

I have less than a hundred pages to go and I'm kind of upset about it. I love the way Nao writes in her journal and how it feels like she's really talking to her. Eager to get to the end of the book and see if Ruth finds the girl or if she's already dead.

[lizj97]

Thanks for the mixed reviews on this book. I am going to read it now because I am quite intrigued and it also sounds like it is right up my alley since I am all about quantum physics and love books that go into the aspect of distorting time and space.

[bookowlie]

I read about 100 pages of this book before putting it down. It started out okay, but I just couldn't get into the author's writing style. The subject matter of the book initially appealed to me, but I just couldn't get into the book. Maybe it needed to be edited down a bit, or it just wasn't my cup of tea. Clearly, there were some people who loved the book, but I felt I gave it enough time before putting it down.

[Sweet_Lullaby]

Reading the sample made me want to purchase this, and reading everyone's comments made me want to get it even more!

[aaa1234]

I love the fact that this book incorporates aspects of Tokyo, Japan into it. Nao is the main character of the book and plans to document the life of her great- grandmother. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in different countries and travelling.

-- 19 Jan 2015, 02:35 --

I love the fact that this book incorporates aspects of Tokyo, Japan into it. Nao is the main character of the book and plans to document the life of her great- grandmother. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in different countries and travelling.

[aaa123]

A brilliant book.

[Duende Knocking]

I read this in September, I believe, so it wasn't for the book of the month, but I did like it!

4/4 for this one. I'd definitely suggest it, and am glad I bought it so that I can read it again!

Characters very likeable, with an engaging story. The father/daughter relationship that played a major role in it was a nice read (I feel that that's a relationship that doesn't get much attention in fiction). I'm a sucker for books that take place in Japan and revolve around Japanese culture, too, and this one is quite accurate.

[Noeld]

Based on all of the reviews here, I'll have to read this book!

[Duende Knocking]

Based on all of the reviews here, I'll have to read this book!

Definitely worth it.

I'd just warn you that bullying & harassment is a major theme in it (as is suicide!), so parts of it might be a little tough reading if you're uncomfortable with that sort of thing. The heroine (with the help of her family, though she doesn't realize it until later) handles it very well though.