All Over Creation: A Novel

Ruth Ozwki did it yet again, capturing my mind and my heart with her characters and story. As in her "A Tale for the TIme Being" she artfully spins a story from then to now and everything in between while keeping her readers engaged and focused. All Over Creation had a little something for everyone. The main character, Yumi Yummy, (you'll figure it out) was totally wrong yet oh so right. She is flawed in very human ways, hurt and focused, she trudges on like so many of do in life. Her family and friends love and hate her all at the same time, both passionately. While at times I grew weary of some of the "hippie" characters, they had a time, a place, a reason. The story turns like clockwork. Predictable, or, is it ? As I neared the end it was with a certain sadness that I would no longer be a voyeur in the life of Yummy and her little family. A great summer read, not frustrating, yet concerning and engaging. I look forward to more work from this author. She researches, does background and then takes you on a life journey. Thanks, again. Ruth Ozeki !

I just had to read more of Ruth Ozeki so I read an older book called All Over Creation. If I tell you that it is a book about seeds that won't convey the whole of it but it would be entirely accurate. Not only does the plot revolve around the idea of genetically engineered seeds and their ruinous effect on the planet's diversity but the book also rather deftly ties in philosophies of generation, birth and death and renewal. It isn't at all as dry as it sounds. In fact it's a charming story of the hippie movement in the 80s and 90s to save Gaia. Similar to ATFTTB, Ozeki uses her own mixed heritage as the basis for the plot but with aging parents who run a seed farm in the US, and a runaway daughter who returns home after living in Hawaii with her three children, each one sired by a different father. Gummi or Gumi, more correctly, is not at all likeable as a protagonist and is counterpointed with some unforgettable characters who are part of the seed revolution. A very good read but Ozeki has definitely matured as a writer since then.

This book was a page turner. I enjoyed it very much. Same as the others written by Ruth Ozeki. If you haven't read one of her books I suggest you check them out. aATale for the Time Being is my favorite so far. I'm planning on reading all she's written.

Ruth Ozeki is one of the finest writers I have had the pleasure to read. This book deals with the tricky subject of GMO foods and manages to portray 'Conservative America' butting up with 'Liberal America' in a small farming town with grace and humour. Ruth handles the typical stereotypes brilliantly in the book's characters, who are faced with many everyday problems that seem daunting. She is a master at gathering the characters' diverse views in such a way that the reader has an overview and is left free to explore their own convictions and make their own conclusions. A thought provoking read that is entertaining and beautifully written.

All Over Creation is a fun book. The characters are interesting, and likable. But, ultimately it was not as captivating as her other books, such as "A Tale for the Time Being" and "The Book of Form and Emptiness." Those other books were hard to put down. This book was worth reading, but easy to put down when something else came up.

I'm halfway into it and I'm trying to finish it for my book club. There is no doubt of the author's ability to write - this is the 2nd book by her that I have read, "A Tale for the Time Being" was the first. But this one - I am really disliking Yumi Fuller and having to press the "I believe" button too much. I have had some experience with the farming life (sheep not potatoes) and we were involved in some agricultural community discussions on issues such as RFID chips for livestock and GMOs. It is a worthwhile cause, but the confluence of events which occurs in the novel seems unlikely. Having said that, well written with a fine sense of the intricacies of life. Yumi, however, just doesn't get it for me, and neither do her kids. She is emotionally stunted and so self absorbed it is hard to relate to her. I will finish the book as an exercise in self discipline, not because I like it.

I’ve now read everything I can find by this interesting author. In this earliest novel of hers that I’ve found, you can already see the major themes that underlie her later books: a fundamentally Buddhist world view and concerns about the moral quandaries inherent in the materialistic consumerism of typical modern American lifestyles. The very human stories she tells are no less compelling because of the weighty themes she examines - quite the contrary! Ruth Ozeki examines these compromised characters with respectful care and real empathy that makes them come alive for the reader in a deeply genuine way. Combined with her talent for inventive plot lines, her compassionate approach makes for compelling, ultra-modern fiction.

This is the 2nd novel by Ruth Ozeiki, whose 3rd novel "Tale For the Time Being" is now short listed for the Man Booker Prize. I'm pulling for her to get it. All of her novels are so inventive, playing with the form, but also full of real, complex, interesting characters -- never simple minded -- and very funny, in the absurd way that life itself is. This novel is a gem, and should make you think about your own youth. Then run right out and get Tale for the Time Being, one of the best novels I've read in ten years, and I sure hope she gets the Booker. She deserves it, for taking such delightful risks and leading the reader into such echoing chambers of the heart.

As a reader who is absorbed by the style of writing over and above the story line, I will not give you a plot synopsis. I will however tell you that this is a delight - it is a flawless depiction of emotion, hope and the power of believing. I read this tale on my kindle, then bought a 'real' book, because I wanted to be able to see it on my book shelves. If you need to read novels which have a message, which give you pause to let the world go by whilst you are somewhere better, this one is for you, it is just wonderful.

All books of Ruth Ozeki are great. This one is outstanding as it lingers in your thoughts. I read it a year ago and I have been recalling aspects of this book on a regular basis ever since. It does something to you! Read it! Great for holidays, you don't want to put it aside...

I came to this having loved "A tale for the Time Being". The plot is centered among the potato farmers of Idaho, where Lloyd is expected to die soon and his wife Momoko is loosing chunks of her memory. His daughter, Yummi, is traced by her childhood best friend, and returns to the home farm which she ran away from at the age of 14. She brings with her 3 children from different fathers. Add to this a group of eco-activists, single parenting, childlessness,GM food crops, small town suspicions and Ozeki's fine writing, and you have a good read. There is tragedy and comedy between the pages. It makes you think about what you are eating and about how much you are told about your food., Although not as good as "A tale for the Time Being", I really enjoyed this book and carried the characters with me for some time after finishing.

I feel totally unable to convey in my words how skilled and perceptive and kind Ruth is as a writer. Her characters and relationships are authentic, believable and free of cliche. A book including themes of GM food and eco-warriors teaching lessons to hard - bitten farmers should be utterly cringeworthy and I really don't think anyone else, bar Tolstoy come back from the dead could do the same. Great work woman!

I enjoyed this book and kept picking it up to read a bit more. The characterisataion is good and the author creeated for me various emotions, anger with Elliot for being so selfish, sympathy for Yumi at first but then annoyance as she took advantage of Cassie further on in the book.I liked the different characters in the 'hippie' group and could empathsise with each one in a different way. Well written and probably might read again at some time.