The Forest of Wool and Steel

Learning, experimentation, pursuit of beauty, pursuit of meaning, battling against the illusion of perfection. The right book at the right time? Something meditative, focused on the senses. 
What's impressive is though I spent a couple dutiful, indifferent years playing the flute in school, I never had this much passion for an instrument, I know nothing about pianos, and yet this still captivated me. 

Part of my appreciation might be a nostalgic connection, I know what it is to grow up in a rural area, have nature surrounding you in your youth, then look for it's echoes in a more urban setting as you pursue education and a career.
There's a strong chance that any book using forests and trees as the prevalent metaphor will be one I enjoy, but even with that bias, I think the writing here was extraordinary (credit to the  translator also for conveying such). 

Not certain this is a feeling that can be recaptured, but if anyone has any comps...I will also live in hope the author produces another work that is translated into English.