Book of Form and Emptiness

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A brilliantly inventive novel about loss, growing up, and our relationship with things. After the tragic death of his beloved musician father, fourteen-year-old Benny Oh begins to hear voices from the objects in his house—a sneaker, a broken Christmas ornament, a piece of wilted lettuce. Although Benny struggles to understand their messages, he senses their emotional tones; some are gentle, while others are angry and painful. As his mother, Annabelle, develops a hoarding problem, the voices become increasingly clamorous. Initially, Benny tries to ignore them, but they soon follow him outside, prompting him to seek refuge in a large public library, where the objects behave and speak in whispers. In the library, Benny discovers a new world where he meets a captivating street artist with a smug pet ferret and a homeless philosopher-poet who inspires him to ask important questions and find his own voice. He also encounters his very own Book—a talking thing that narrates his life and teaches him to listen to what truly matters. This novel weaves together sympathetic characters, a riveting plot, and vibrant themes, exploring everything from jazz to climate change and our attachment to material possessions, all while embodying the bold, wise, and poignant style of its acclaimed author.