Reviews

Bewilderment by Richard Powers

zdz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Fantastic and unique writing. The ending felt rushed and forced.

debbie261158's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

aclassi_k's review against another edition

3.0

The book tackles complex themes of loss, grief, neurodivergence and climate change, but most of the issues are plain and boring to read about. Everything seemed a little too on the surface when some problems could have definitely benefitted from a more in-depth approach.

soowint's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

chronicallymel's review against another edition

2.0

Astrobiologist character constantly criticizing the psychology field to control his view of the world. Once a secondary character also judged and had disdain for diagnostics, it felt more like the author trying to tell me something I have no intention of listening to, rather than creating complicated characters. I saw another review state how shocked they were that this book had such an anti-science take, and I have to agree.

tarrowood's review against another edition

4.0

Such a sad little book. It fills you with wonder as you go, but every page bends you a little bit, without you knowing, until a swift *snap* happens as you finish, leaving you no time for recovery or process…
However, it ties a liiitttllleee too close to our last 4 year stint of hell for me. Didn’t leave a lot of room for its own near-future world.

swelly's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

hannahmaybookreviews's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Beautifully written and heart rendering 

goslin's review against another edition

3.0

Just finished so first thoughts are *very* early.

Without a spoiling anything, trigger warning for danger/harm/difficult child stuff. (I’m still breathless 2.5 hours later)

Writing style was fun, story composition well researched and well done.

I understand the broad appeal of this story, will process more before I settle, myself.

slentz97's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Definitely will stick with me. I don’t know my full thoughts. Maybe a little cheesy and ham-fisted at times (with the political tangents) but, overall it’s a beautiful story and universe/life on earth will always get me.