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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
This is a timely book that creates an easy bridge for readers to understand the difficulty the world is having in mobilizing to combat climate change, and that probably is the hook that resulted in the book winning the Pulitzer. Portions of the book were powerfully written, but the personalities of the characters--who are stereotypical "outsider" types--were one-dimensional and lacked chemistry when they related to one another. The book portrays government action as always extremely anti-environment, and although that might be the trend of opinion of the most senior US administration officials today, it does not reflect the attitudes of the rank-and-file government employees who tend to be passionately pro-preservationist when it comes to the care of the environment and public lands. Richard Powers wrote the book in the present tense, blending in single sentences facts about the inner connectivity and intelligence of plants with the thoughts and actions of the characters. In doing so he is making the point that humans and plants are intimately connected, but in practical terms, the technique makes the book hard to read and tempts lazy readers like me to either abandon the book or to skim the most complex parts.
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book opened up my mind to the mysteries that are plants and honestly our entire Earth. I've never before really sat down and considered how much of a miracle our natural world is - it's like I was taking it for granted and forgetting that plants are alive. It also made me want to take up arson in a justified sense, as a protector of plant-kind.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
The first part was incredible, and if it tied into something a bit less grandiose, I think the whole would have ended up better. The rest was a bit of a slog, particularly most of Trunk. It was long enough that I got to spend plenty of time with all of the characters, yet I still didn't find myself caring about them most of the time. I didn't feel like I knew them. Then again, I feel this way about most ensemble novels.
Patricia's monologues seem like an inelegant way for Powers to directly address the reader, or to coherently summarize the research he did - it's cumbersome and preachy.
Just because a species or an individual doesn't meet our standard criteria of "intelligence", that doesn't necessarily mean they're dumb. It probably just means we're not looking hard enough.
Patricia's monologues seem like an inelegant way for Powers to directly address the reader, or to coherently summarize the research he did - it's cumbersome and preachy.
Just because a species or an individual doesn't meet our standard criteria of "intelligence", that doesn't necessarily mean they're dumb. It probably just means we're not looking hard enough.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Absorbing writing. Certainly view changing. The reader will learn a lot about the importance of trees and inadvertently come away with more dendrological knowledge than you intended. And still be entertained.
In the beginning the book seems like a series of separate unrelated vignettes. But do not worry, the author has a plan. There are themes that connect these stories together, that are at times quite heart-racing.
I had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight. I wished mightily for a guide or cheat sheet to the reappearing faces. I would suggest starting one for yourself.
In the beginning the book seems like a series of separate unrelated vignettes. But do not worry, the author has a plan. There are themes that connect these stories together, that are at times quite heart-racing.
I had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight. I wished mightily for a guide or cheat sheet to the reappearing faces. I would suggest starting one for yourself.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Overstory is full of truth seeking prose that cuts and flourishes with interweaving characters.