Playground

A Novel

De: Richard Powers

Narrado por: Edoardo Ballerini, Robin Siegerman, Eunice Wong, Pun Bandhu, Krys Janae, Kevin R Free

A magisterial new novel from the Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times best-selling author of The Overstory and Bewilderment.

Four lives are drawn together in a sweeping, panoramic new novel from Richard Powers, showcasing the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Overstory at the height of his skills. Twelve-year-old Evie Beaulieu sinks to the bottom of a swimming pool in Montreal strapped to one of the world’s first aqualungs. Ina Aroita grows up in naval bases across the Pacific with art as her only home. Two polar opposites at an elite Chicago high school bond over a three-thousand-year-old board game; Rafi Young will get lost in literature, while Todd Keane’s work will lead to a startling AI breakthrough.

They meet on the history-scarred island of Makatea in French Polynesia, whose deposits of phosphorus once helped feed the world. Now the tiny atoll has been chosen for humanity’s next adventure: a plan to send floating, autonomous cities out onto the open sea. But first, the island’s residents must vote to greenlight the project or turn the seasteaders away.

Set in the world’s largest ocean, this awe-filled book explores that last wild place we have yet to colonize in a still-unfolding oceanic game, and interweaves beautiful writing, rich characterization, profound themes of technology and the environment, and a deep exploration of our shared humanity in a way only Richard Powers can.

©2024 Richard Powers (P)2024 Spotify Audiobooks

What a tremendous story

I loved the book itself. As a diver and a marine conservationist, there was no question that I needed to read it. The book is fantastic. The story amazing. The writing makes me feel like I am under the ocean.

I didn’t care for the readers of the book. For some, the inflections seemed off and almost comical. I found that very distracting. In the beginning, it almost made me stop reading the book. I persevered simply because of the topic, and I’m so glad that I did.

An outstanding ending

This novel intertwines human friendships, hopes, and hurts with wonderful explanations of the ocean, racial tensions, artificial intelligence, and future challenges. I listened to it twice, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Loved

This is a new favorite. Great story, well researched and thoughtful with endearing characters and incredibly relevant plot.

A masterful tapestry!

This is my fourth book by Richard Powers, likely my favorite. His well researched literacy in so many different arenas is beautifully interwoven in narratives from widely disparate and thoughtful perspectives. The narrators are (mostly) wonderfully well suited to the material. Highly recommend!!!

Complexity of Human Relationship brought to Life by The Ocean.

Friendship: the ultimate Human Experience mirrored in its magnificence, diversity, romance, and danger of a beloved Ocean. Beautiful imagery and sensitive characterization, an entrancing reading and listening experience.

Four Stars. ****

we must value our oceans

very interesting. the development of a.i. and our addiction to tech/phones/games is depressing. the descriptions of our oceans and the life/complex relationships within are breath taking. may we turn profound reverance into ACTION to protect what is left.

Just read it

So good. It’s a likely prophecy and a painful eye opener wrapped in a love story.

Creative and important

Well written characters with story lines that intersected. Important messages about the impact of man threatening the oceans.

the story of a broken friendship

sometime its hard to follow chapter changes with out explanation as there are several different characters

He's done it again!

As before, Richard Powers has researched massive amounts of information, presenting it through well-developed characters. fascinating read.