Following the sudden death of his father, fourteen-year-old Benny Oh begins to hear the voices of inanimate objects. From sneakers to Christmas ornaments, the physical world speaks to him in a chaotic chorus that eventually leads to a psychiatric diagnosis. His mother, Annabelle, copes with grief by compulsively hoarding household items, intensifying the noise Benny experiences. Seeking refuge in a public library, Benny meets a street artist and a philosopher who introduce him to Zen concepts regarding the interconnectedness of matter and the Zen parable of the empty bowl.
Readers interested in the relationship between mental health, consumerism, and Buddhist philosophy will find value in this narrative. It appeals to those seeking a detailed look at how humans project meaning onto possessions and how bereavement alters sensory perception. The reader finishes the book with a specific understanding of how mindfulness and artistic expression can function as grounding mechanisms amidst the clutter of modern life. They gain a perspective on grief that prioritizes listening over acquisition.
Deep, inward-looking, contemplative and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Mindful Reader. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2021
- Language
- EN
