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!!!

Better to Read Than Listen

Eduardo Ballerini is one of the best audio book narrators around. If only he had read the whole thing. Instead, there were additional narrators and one of them was SO BAD that I’d switch to the Kindle for her chapters. It’s a great story from a wonderful author but this was not a good listen.

Put your thinking cap on!

Many relevant topics woven into a thought provoking story across recent history and rapidly ascending future. Especially touching to those who have more than 10 years of scuba diving experience and those who wonder about a future with AI.

Brilliant Novel- Horrible Production

Beautiful remarkable story spoiled by horrible recording production. Someone should be embarrassed by the shoddy way they put this gorgeous work into the world.

Just stunning and thought provoking

Loved every chapter as it moved me want more every day. Thank you for my inspiration to see the poetry of the world.

Another amazing title by Powers

Magical and haunting the story unfolds. The language, the plot, the love for our planet are all there in incredible beauty

Speechless

Listening to Raja Ampat being described in 1960 put me right back in its magical waters when I visited for the first time last year, with tears streaming. The timely, intricate, and sweeping storyline, the characters—seemingly disparate yet colliding elegantly, bittersweetly in the end—left me speechless and my heart aching. This is a poignant, majestic book, and my favorite audiobook experience yet!