All Over Creation: A Novel

I am a huge fan of this author. She weaves together multiple story lines and does justice to multiple perspectives. I appreciate the environment messages in her books. As someone who teaches environmental science and permaculture, I wish my students would read her books- much more interesting than science textbooks and fill of facts and information.

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.

I am giving a rating of 3 only because this book was well written. Other than that, I had a lot of problems with this book. It starts out with the sexual exploitation of a teenager by a teacher and diverges into a diatribe about genetically engineered plants: And it’s especially disturbing that, in the end, the latter issue is much more resolved than the former. Overall, it seemed like the author did little to research the effects of sexual abuse. The main character, Yumi, had absolutely no redeeming qualities and many of the other characters were improbable. Yumi’s mother, Momoko, who could have been a rich and pivotal character, is treated like a sideshow throughout the entire storyline. A lot of the dialogue and semantics seemed out of time. For example, I don’t think anyone still uses the term “hippie”. As a person who lives in Hawaii, I have to say that the references to Hawaii seemed artificial and gratuitous. The best thing that comes out this story is that Yumi’s friend, Cass, gets a baby. That was predictable, but the means to that end was despicable.

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 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.

Lots of figurative moments to work on - fertile land, infertile parents, a woman with different partners with different race, and yes! potatoes. But it plods and is unusually lengthy with unclear plot and narrative. Ozeki is a brilliant writer and has flashes of brilliance in the quiet moments of the novel.

Ozeki’s All Over Creation is an amazing example of how food ways affect even the smallest potato farmers in Idaho. The book it self had an encapsulating storyline that was able to keep the story going until the end. However, the book seems to sum up rather quickly near the end.The author does an extraordinary job of incorporating the letters Yumi is writing home into the storyline. The letters allow for time to pass while still allowing for explanation to what is happening to Yumi. Additionally, it develops relationships that foreshadow events that will happen in the future.The books ability to explore controversial issues such as the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) while still maintaining a fictional story line is a talent that Ozeki is known for. The storyline has the power to convict a reader and encourages questions such as “what am I really eating?”Overall the book was a brilliant literary work that I would recommend it strongly to any audience. If it’s anything like All Over Creation I look forward to reading My Year of Meats sometime in the near future.

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 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.

Stunning ! A gentle breeze of a novel whispering of things unseen and unknown and set in a magical and timeless island off the Pacific coast of Canada.Ruth Ozeki blends her Eastern heritage into our 21st century cynical age and creates a little masterpiece which lingers long after you have closed the final page.

I just finished reading Before you go ..... and for once decided to write a review. This is a wonderful book that works at many levels. The narrative is clean and purposeful and the elements of the story work so well together. It's light and deep all at the same time .... I've fallen in love with Ruth Ozeki's work ..... give it a try ..... I hope you do too.