THE DISH: THE BUDDHIST AS NOVELIST

A Tale for the Time Being plays with this notion of self or selves, which in Buddhism is called no-self, or anatman. Buddhism teaches that because everything is impermanent, there is no fixed self that remains unchanged in time. And Buddhism also teaches that there is not an independent self, that can exist separate from others. Thich Nhat Hanh calls this interbeing. So what we experience as the self is more like a collection of fluid, interpenetrating, interdependencies that change and flow through time.
— Ruth Ozeki

September 21, 2014
This Dish
The Buddhist as Novelist
Andrew Sullivan

The Guardian: Ruth Ozeki beats Thomas Pynchon to top Kitschie award

Ozeki won the Kitschies Red Tentacle prize on Wednesday night for her story weaving together the lives of a schoolgirl, a writer, and a zen-anarchist nun. The prize is for novels containing "elements of the speculative and fantastic", with Ozeki seeing off competition from Thomas Pynchon, Anne Carson, Patrick Ness and James Smythe to win.

See also: RED TENTACLE!

February 13, 2014
Ruth Ozeki beats Thomas Pynchon to top Kitschie award
The Guardian
February 13, 2014

 

Critical Mass: NBCC Fiction Finalist Ruth Ozeki in Conversation with MFA Student Mallory McMahon

Thanks to The School of Writing at The New School, as well as the tireless efforts of their students and faculty, we are able to provide interviews with each of the NBCC Awards Finalists for the publishing year 2013. …

Here, NBCC Fiction Finalist Ruth Ozeki talks with MFA Student Mallory McMahon. See the School of Writing page for more.

February 12, 2014
NBCC Fiction Finalist Ruth Ozeki in Conversation with MFA Student Mallory McMahon
Critical Mass, National Book Critics Circle blog
Mallory McMahon

NBCC: 30 Books: Mark Athitakis on Ruth Ozeki’s “A Tale for the Time Being”

This magical yet earthbound novel reveals and exemplifies the freedom you gain when you’re willing to rethink what “connection” means, and consider that it’s a different thing in every living moment.
— Mark Athitakis, Critical Mass, National Book Critics Circle blog

January 28, 2014
Critical Mass,National Book Critics Circle blog
30 Books: Mark Athitakis on Ruth Ozeki’s “A Tale for the Time Being”
Mark Athitakis