A Tale for the Time Being

[TheMaw]

Has anyone finished this? I'm about halfway through and I'm getting more and more irritated with the Ruth bits. She's so dull and self-absorbed and if she pontificates on the sea once more I will lose control.

It's a shame because I really like the Neo parts. Is the story worth sticking to until the end?

I loved it and so did my teenage son, I agree the Ruth part was a bit soppy, but I did persevere, it took me a while to finish as I broke my collarbone and couldn't hold a book for long, so had to read it in 20 minute chunks. That might have helped perhaps

Ok, thanks for your reply. I was hoping someone would say 'don't bother, it's guff' but now I'll have to keep going. Hope your collarbone is better now!

I'm half way through too and feel the same. Will soldier on though. If you want I can tell you what happens if you do give up?

I started reading this but didn't like it much at all (esp Ruth bits) so gave up. Sorry!

I loved this book. It was my favourite on last years Booker price list. Please finish it. The ending is really satisfying. That poor young girl and the fascinating Buddhist element really outweighed any annoyance over the at times the excessive and pretentious academia. It's a book I will reread.

Oh, I liked this and I have to say it's definitely worth persevering. I actually didn't find any of it annoying at all. I would carry on if you can bear it.

I also really liked it and gave it to my husband to read who also loved it. It really stayed with me for a while and for me it was one of the best reads in a while.

I've just finished it, I'm underwhelmed. I wish it had just been Nao's story, I really liked that, but I couldn't get over Ruth. Anyway, thanks for the replies, it would be a dull world if we all had the same opinions!

I loved it!

Can anyone remember that scene where Grandmother bowed in front of colourfully dressed aggressive teenagers?

I hope that it had help me understand Japanese a bit better.

Yes anti, I remember that very well. It was a lovely moment. Also loved the idea that the girl could escape into her own private world when meditating. She certainly needed to escape from her situation and those terrible examples of Japanese school cruelty.

I did like it but I think it suffered like a lot of literary books from characters and setting over plot. Beautifully drawn characters and setting but no real understanding of how to wrap up a story.