She’s also a film-maker and a Zen Buddhist priest, and her books draw on her Japanese-American heritage.

They also convey her deep concern for our environment, taking on topics such as industrial agriculture, ocean pollution and mass consumerism.

Her most recent book, The Typing Lady and Other Fictions, is her first collection of short stories – and the Typing Lady of the title has more than a little in common with Ruth herself.

Ruth Ozeki's music includes Albeniz, Praetorius, Prokofiev and Benny Goodman.