A Tale For The Time Being

I very much enjoyed A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.  Ruth, who lives on an island on the west coast of Canada finds a bag washed up on the beach near her home.  One of the items in the bag is a diary written by a young Japanese girl, Nao.  There are other items in the bag which are gradually revealed in the book.  Nao's story is very intriguing and Ruth is determined to find out more about her.  The book has alternate chapters which tell Ruth's and Nao's stories.  For Nao, the most important people in her life are her father and great-grandmother, Jiko.  Nao is being bullied at school and that shapes much of the story.  This is a really beautifully written book.  Highly recommended. 5/5