A book can be like a haven, surrounded by the warm embrace of a crowd. It has the power to transport us to different worlds, to make us feel emotions we never thought possible. Ruth Ozeki is truly a genius in the world of literature. Her works are not only captivating but also thought-provoking. They have the ability to touch the deepest parts of our souls and make us question our beliefs and values. I would do anything for her because her books have had such a profound impact on my life. They have inspired me, taught me, and made me a better person. Each time I pick up one of her books, I know I am in for a journey that will change me forever.

When I first began reading this book, my initial thought was, "I can't be bothered to read about potatoes in Idaho!" As a result, I set it aside for a considerable period.

Then, months later, when I had exhausted all the books on my Kindle, I returned to it. After getting past the first couple of pages, I quickly realized that the story was about far more than just potatoes or Idaho. It was a kind of wonderland-ish tale constructed from the stories of various characters - the Japanese/white daughter who couldn't bear to face her actions or loss, the father who couldn't bring himself to admit his weakness, the boy who was struggling to find himself, the mother who had been childless for a long time, and the man who couldn't tell when he was lying.

A sense of magical realism permeated the book, yet everything that occurred was firmly within the bounds of reality. How strange and wonderful. What a gift in storytelling, to be able to create fantastical worlds from very real ones.

I truly relished this story.

(Spoilers)

There was indeed no moral to the tale, no neatly tied-up ending. People remained lost without a clean reconciliation, guilt and regret were left unresolved, and messy people stayed messy. Those who couldn't handle not fitting in still strived to do so at the end. It was a real journey - a genuine tale for the present moment! An extraordinarily enjoyable adventure.

A warm and witty saga? No, that's not quite right. In fact, it's far from it. The song "Nothing" from the 1970s musical A Chorus Line seems to perfectly capture my sentiments regarding the characters in this novel. After just the first seventy or so pages, I was already losing interest. It's as if the author failed to bring these characters to life in a way that would engage me. See Nicola Lloyd's extensive review, which gives it just one star (click the link). Her take is exactly the same as mine. There's something lacking in this novel, something that prevents it from being truly captivating. Maybe it's the lack of depth in the characters, or perhaps it's the pacing of the story. Whatever the reason, it just didn't work for me.

Second read, 8.2020, 4/5

I still have a great deal of affinity for my past self's intense admiration for Ruth Ozeki, as you can read below. However, upon a second reading, some aspects didn't seem quite as flawless. Having now reread all of her novels, I can say that I like All Over Creation the least. I don't feel as strongly connected to the characters as I do in A Tale for the Time Being and My Year of Meats. Part of the reason is that I prefer it when she employs the dual-narrative rather than this more extensive mix of voices. But most importantly, I don't think that the environmental topic of this one, genetically modified plants, is dealt with as well as it could have been. I would have liked to see some neutral information in addition to the activist vs. farmer setup.

First read, 1.2017, 5/5

I don't know how Ruth Ozeki manages it, I truly don't. I also don't know if I can adequately explain the way I adore her books and how much they mean to me. But I'm going to give it a try. I've now read all three of her novels: A Tale for the Time Being, My Year of Meats, and All Over Creation. They were five-star reads and some of the most influential books I've ever come across. At this point, I might even go so far as to call Ruth Ozeki my all-time favorite author. So, what do I love about her? She's clearly a brilliant writer, crafting fluid dialogues, beautiful descriptions, and such three-dimensional characters that you become deeply attached to them. She uses multiple points of view, allowing you to follow very different people whose stories become intertwined in the most unexpected ways. The plots are full of surprises, and even if there isn't always a great deal happening, you simply love to read about all the little details of the characters' lives.

While Ozeki writes highly entertaining, emotional, and captivating stories, they are also informative. One of the main reasons why her books feel as if they were written specifically for me is the environmental issues she addresses. For instance, in My Year of Meats, the focus is on meat production, particularly on the hormones given to cattle. In All Over Creation, it's about cultivation and GMO-plants. The way these things are handled is quite unique, and as someone who is vegetarian and专注于 nature conservation in her studies, I find them extremely significant. And there are so many other topics touched upon! All of Ozeki's novels have made me cry, although I think All Over Creation might be the most emotive of her books. I was an emotional wreck when I finished it, but also incredibly grateful for the beautiful story I was able to experience.

Ozeki's work is always so richly populated with authentic characters, and this one is no different.

Her novels are like bustling universes, filled with individuals who leap off the page and into the reader's imagination. Each character is carefully crafted, with their own unique personalities, dreams, and flaws.

In this particular work, we are introduced to a diverse cast of characters, from the young and idealistic protagonist to the grizzled and world-weary mentor. As we follow their stories, we become invested in their lives, cheering them on through their triumphs and commiserating with them in their failures.

Ozeki's ability to create such vivid and believable characters is a testament to her skill as a writer. She has a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of human nature, which allows her to bring her characters to life in a way that few others can.

Whether you are a fan of literary fiction or simply looking for a good read, Ozeki's work is sure to delight and engage you.

I think I finally understand what reviewers mean when they criticize a book in which they just "didn't care enough about the characters." For in this book, I found myself caring a lot for almost all the main characters, even the one "bad guy". Ozeki's descriptions consistently led me to empathize with each character. At times, I would even find myself imitating the body language she would describe to feel what was happening.

****SPOILER ALERT FOLLOWS****

Even the ending was somehow satisfying even though not a totally "happy ever after". It had a certain charm and authenticity that made it feel right for the story.

But...

One mysterious lack, unless I somehow missed it, was that we never find out who blew up the Spudnik Winnebago. It couldn't really have been Geek. Was it Rodney? And they just let him get away? This unanswered question left me with a sense of curiosity and a bit of frustration. I really wanted to know the truth behind this incident. It seemed like such an important part of the story that was left unresolved.

Overall, despite this one flaw, I still really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others.

Yumi was extremely annoying. It was as if she was hell-bent on irritating everyone around her.

There was no way a redemption arc could salvage her character in my eyes.

Cass, on the other hand, was the true main character. This book truly belonged to her. It was all about her journey and her story.

The book, however, was way too long. It felt like the author was trying to cram in too many elements and ideas, which made the pacing a bit off.

Overall, while Cass was a great character, the book could have benefited from some tighter editing and a more focused narrative.

I truly liked the way the book was written. The author's style was engaging and it made the reading experience highly enjoyable.

The words seemed to flow effortlessly, pulling me into the story and making me eager to turn the pages.

However, I must admit that I found the ending a bit twee and predictable. It lacked the element of surprise that I was hoping for.

As I neared the end, I could almost guess what was going to happen, and unfortunately, my prediction came true.

Despite this small drawback, the overall quality of the book was still quite good, and I would recommend it to others who enjoy this particular genre.

Maybe they will have a different perspective on the ending and find it more satisfying than I did.

This book has been around for over 20 years, and yet, it still feels incredibly relevant. It is the least mystical work by Ozeki that I have ever read. However, considering how much she emphasizes the significance of harmony with the earth and the physical world, perhaps that is precisely the point.

Returning home to my own aging grandparents and living in a world that seems to be spiraling increasingly out of my control, Ozeki, as always, deftly manages to weave together a witty cast of flawed humans. She even makes potato farming interesting. All the while, she reminds us of the beauty of life - and death - in a world where we constantly strive to both prevent and create it, often refusing to live with the consequences.

Ozeki's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, showing us that even in the most ordinary of circumstances, there is extraordinary beauty and meaning to be found. Her ability to bring to life a diverse range of characters and make them relatable is truly remarkable.

This book is a must-read for anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read that will leave them with a new appreciation for the world around them.

3.5.

Lots of the writing by Ruth Ozeki truly captivates me. The topics she explores remain highly relevant even 20 years after the publishing date.

However, I found it a bit challenging to connect with many of the characters in her works. That being said, The Seeds was an enjoyable read.

At times, I had to pause and gather my thoughts before continuing to read. Her writing has a certain depth and complexity that requires one to stop and reflect.

Overall, while there were some difficulties in connecting with the characters, I still appreciate the thought-provoking nature of Ozeki's writing. It makes me think about various aspects of life and society in a new light.

I look forward to exploring more of her works in the future and seeing how her writing evolves.

The Massachusetts Center for the Book's Reading Challenge this month presented an interesting task.

It was to read a book that delved into nature, the environment, or climate change.

I decided to take on this challenge and began my search by googling "best books about" those specific topics.

After careful consideration, I chose a particular book.

And I am truly glad that I made this choice.

The story within the book was not only highly engaging but also made me think deeply about several important aspects.

There was definitely a significant amount of content regarding genetic engineering and its impact on the environment.

It made me realize the complex relationship between scientific advancements and the natural world.

As I read through the pages, I found myself constantly reflecting on how our actions in the name of progress can have far-reaching consequences for the environment.

This book has truly opened my eyes and made me more aware of the importance of protecting nature and addressing the challenges of climate change.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts and insights with others who have also participated in this reading challenge.

Dude, I absolutely adore this book with every fiber of my being.

If you haven't read it yet, seriously, what on earth is wrong with you?

Get yourself to a library, you slacker!

I'll attempt to explain what it's about, but be warned: it's a bit intricate.

So, Lloyd Fuller and his wife (whose name escapes me - forgive me!) are husband and wife.

They are potato farmers, although the wife also has a passion for rare seeds.

When Lloyd gets too old to manage his farm, they both venture into the seed-saving business and start a small enterprise selling heirloom seeds through the mail.

They sell their land to the neighbors, Cassie and her husband (whose name I also can't recall).

Cassie is the childhood best friend of the Fullers' daughter, Yumi.

Yumi ran away from home at sixteen after getting pregnant by her English teacher and having an illegal abortion.

When Lloyd found out, he was furious and Yumi vanished.

Cassie wants to have a child but is having difficulty conceiving and suspects it might be some sort of cosmic retribution for accompanying Yumi to get that abortion years ago.

(But in reality, it's probably due to the pesticides saturating the potato fields.)

Meanwhile, Yumi has grown up and had three kids with three different men.

She's a bit of a bohemian but has done well for herself.

She's living in Hawaii, selling real estate.

Cassie tracks her down after Lloyd has another heart attack and it seems he's not long for this world.

Yumi's mom has a touch of dementia and can't be relied upon to care for Lloyd alone, and Cassie is busy running her farm.

So Yumi returns to Idaho with her brood to take care of Lloyd in his final days and introduce him to his grandchildren.

And in the meantime, a group of traveling anarchists has heard about the heirloom seed catalogue and decides that Lloyd is the environmentalist messiah.

They plan to travel to Idaho to meet with him and make his farm their revolutionary base.

Their crew includes Y, who fortunately has a background as a personal care assistant; another guy whose name I forget, who is their tech guy and falls in love with Yumi; Lilith, the earth goddess-y one who funds their travels by doing earth goddess-y internet porn; Charmey, who is pregnant, French-Canadian, and a great cook; and Frank, a 17-year-old skater they picked up in Ohio who got Charmey pregnant.

Oh, and also, the English teacher who got Yumi pregnant has gone on to become a PR guy for an evil multinational company that manufactures the pesticides making Cassie infertile and which could potentially kill all the seeds in the world.

And all of these people converge in Idaho and have all sorts of strange interactions, and there are all these intertwined stories about politics, religion, gender, abortion, race (Yumi's mom is Japanese - Lloyd met her while fighting in World War Two), pregnancy, porn, direct action, technology, and so on.

Okay? This book is amazing. Go read it.