Playground

A Novel

By: Richard Powers

Narrated by: 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

The Novel I needed for 2024

wow. that's all I've got. I've been having trouble making sense of the world, but maybe it just doesn't make sense. These characters were as o relatable I wish they were real. And in some ways they are too real

Thank you Richard Powers for helping me make sense of a world I cannot make sense of.

Expertly done

My first Richard Powers novel. It lived up to the hype. Great narration as well. I think this would appeal to a lot of people. The beginning was difficult to get into but stick with it. Very worth it.

To AI or not to AI

It was a very interesting novel that makes one think about how computers and AI in particular can affect our environment.

The most beautiful book for ocean lovers and more🥹

I hope my life is like Evelyne’s! Thank you Richard Powers for bringing such beauty into the world!

Beautiful if at times confusing

Definitely a worthwhile listen. Nicely woven story lines and interesting characters. At times I was a bit lost and had to listen to some parts twice.

Beauty depth vast like the ocean itself

Not to be forgotten . I wish it was required reading for all humanity . Loved it.

The lyric quality

Although not quite as much as the Overstory, Powers made it a point to say the earth’s oceans are being systematically destroyed. That’s something. I guess what I’m trying to say is he didn’t put a fine a point on it. Powers tries on the mask of game producer, and becomes one of the world’s richest men by manufacturing “Playground,” a game that mimics the environment of Planet Earth.

Planet Ocean

Wonderful multi-layered story. I loved the span of time and development of the characters.

Beautifully written

IMG this beautifully written story equals Power’s Overstory. I didn’t think possible. He weaves together the stories of four disparate people, Ema, Rafe, Keene, and Evie with the ocean and artificial intelligence, into an amazing Macrome.

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.