The Overstory Paperback – November 21, 2018

**"The Overstory": A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Epic That Connects Humanity and Nature.****"The Overstory"** by Richard Powers is a profoundly moving novel that explores the intricate relationships between humans and the natural world, ultimately delivering a powerful message about environmental activism and the interconnectedness of all living things. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction and shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, this sweeping narrative weaves together the lives of nine diverse characters, each linked by their own encounters with trees. From a Vietnam War veteran saved by a banyan tree to an artist grappling with the legacy of a dying chestnut, Powers masterfully captures their individual stories and the broader themes that underscore humanity’s relationship with nature.The novel spans a vast timeline, highlighting the conflicts and struggles faced throughout American history, including the late twentieth-century Timber Wars. As the characters converge in a desperate fight to preserve the last remnants of ancient forests, Powers invites readers to reflect on the silence of trees and the urgent need to reconnect with the environment around us. **"The Overstory"** is a stunning evocation of nature and a call to action for readers who wish for a deeper understanding of their role in the world. With its intricate narrative and lyrical prose, this book resonates as both a celebration of the natural world and a poignant reminder of the consequences of humanity's choices, making it an unforgettable read for anyone who cares about the planet's future.

I’ve previously railed against the abysmal choice made for 2018’s Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction. I’m still salty about that decision, but oh how deliciously, and fortuitously 2019’s Pulitzer Prize for fiction winner, ‘The Overstory’, redeems the Pulitzer committee's previous year’s nonsensical choice. Richard Powers’ ‘The Overstory’ is a premier example of work that defines exceptional contemporary literature. Where the writing is not only of the highest caliber, but carries an urgent message for our times. I finished it two months ago and in the time since, I've simply been letting it marinate and seep into my senses before finalizing my thoughts.'The Overstory' is not a flash in the pan, it is not a gimmick. It is what I believe will be considered a literary classic in the future, one which academics and thinkers of the age will refer to. This is a book that is both a teacher as well as a friend. It is a parent and it is spiritual guide. It is a force as monumental as the oceans, yet as humble as a mustard seed. What elevates this novel to this degree of profundity, an attribute that was a source of major delight of the book, is the sophistication to Powers’ writing style. A writing style that I like a lot. It’s scholarly without being affected, dense without being overwrought or preachy. Powers' prose is sumptuous and orchestral, leaving a textured cloud of complexity that hovers throughout the entire novel.Powers’ writing is also deeply enthralling, affording me the knowledge and appreciation for trees and foliage that goes beyond the greenery we see everyday. He displays beautifully and deftly, the symbiotic relationship between humans and trees - nature, to an extent; plus the necessary brotherly connection that must exist between these two entities. If you're paying attention to current events occurring domestically and abroad - the Amazon is on fire, the importance of combating climate change - you'll understand how timely and necessary a book such as this is. For every act we do to trees, to our surroundings, and to the earth at large - be it wilful malice, altruistic, or inadvertently - there is a consequence. The question then becomes: in the face of these consequences, what is humanity's role, duty, and responsibility in the grand scheme of things. Powers, without cajoling the reader to feel one way or the other, presents several possibilities.Truth be told though, amidst all this lush prose and didactic earth toned lessons, there is also a layer of inaccessibility, a fogginess to the writing that demands the reader’s attention at all times. By this I mean, 'The Overstory' does not spoon feed, nor does it coddle the reader. Rather, it challenges the reader to be alert, to pay attention as the stories unfold. The section labeled "Trunk" is a prime example, one which I deduce some readers are likely to find to be long winded and laborious. To be clear, the novel is not a difficult read, but it has a level of difficulty that though circuitous and busy, I think ends up being one of the book’s rewards.I plan to read ‘The Overstory’ again, the second time around more so to pick up the bits and pieces of treasures I may have missed the first time. There are plenty, each with a profound message for humanity, a message for the sustainability of the planet itself. Highly, highly recommended read, but take your time with it. Read some, let it marinate, read more, let that marinate, and so on. Make this a slow and steady read to get the most out of it. The literary rewards as well as the human rewards, are ripe and overarching. This is fruit with flavor that resonates and lingers long after completing it. Deserving of the Pulitzer Prize? ABSOLUTELY, without any doubt! 4.75 stars out of 5.

This book is pretty amazing. It’s not surprising it won a Pulitzer Prize. The author has impressive writing skills— as an aspiring writer myself, I kept thinking “wow, there’s no way I could write this well.“ His use of metaphor, and his vivid descriptions, are fantastic. I think you could make an argument that this author is perhaps the best writer of our generation.That being said, I did have some frustrations with the book. First, he introduces all the characters in a series of chapters at the beginning. When he gets back to those characters later, I often struggled to remember exactly who they were and what their histories were. I read about 10 or 15 pages a day, and so for some of these characters their backgrounds were a few weeks prior.I would also say that I wasn’t crazy about his characters. They were complex generally, but they were damaged and very depressing. There was not a character in this book that I really came to admire or care about. Dr. Patricia Westerford was perhaps the one that I felt the most affection for.The environmental message of this book is extremely important. This is perhaps the most articulate and artistic plea for environmental awareness that I know of. I loved trees and forests before reading this, and now I love them even more. The book is a major milestone for all environmental causes. For that, I applaud and thank the author.I was very disappointed by the ending. The new generation of video game design by the tech character, and the artistic project in the forest, both seemed vague and confusing to me. I’m not sure exactly what the word “STILL” signifies. Still time? Still hope? I’m not sure. And I’m not really sure what he meant by the reference to “lookers.” Space aliens? Internet algorithms? I couldn’t figure it out to any degree of certainty. I went back and reread those sections several times and I have no exact idea what he intended.Overall, this is a book worth reading. This is an important book. This is a major artistic accomplishment. If you are an aspiring writer like me, you want to read this just so you can see gold-standard use of the English language. Countless times I was stunned by the descriptions and expression of fascinating new ideas. I will have to go back and re-read the book and highlight all the sentences that I found captivating. There will be several hundred of them.

Interesante, fácil de leer y muy entretenido

Well, what a book. I could not put it down. So well crafted, the characters woven into each other like magic. I loved each and every one of them, and so enjoyed their individual life stories. This was a book that made me stop and think, and look at nature and trees in a very different way. And, perhaps more importantly - for me - look at people in a different light. This won't be my last Richard Powers book, not by a long chalk.

It reminded me of two books that I love, and then he added a set of fictional characters who really work. The two books are 2020 Sheldrake’s “Entangled Life” about fungi and Kim Stanley Robinson’s 2018 “Ministry for the Future” about near future climate players. Powers is such a good writer. I will read more of this.

Prosaic, captivating and a dire warning of what could be if we don't heed it's lessons

This book is among the best fiction I have ever read. Beautifully written. Incisive at times, poetic and uplifting at all times. A prince in a world of frogs.