49 pages • 1 hour read
Richard PowersBewilderment
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Bewilderment by Richard Powers is a 2021 novel set in the near future amidst a collapsing environment, following astrobiologist Theo Byrne and his neurodivergent son Robin as they navigate personal and societal challenges after the death of Robin's mother, Alyssa. Their journey includes efforts to cope without psychoactive drugs, excursions into nature, and participation in a groundbreaking neuroscience experiment to help Robin manage his emotions. Sensitive topics include the death of a child and environmental crises.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Bewilderment by Richard Powers delves into a father's struggle to help his extraordinary, troubled son in a contemporary setting. Reviews praise its emotional depth, intricate prose, and exploration of environmental themes. Some critics found the narrative overly ambitious and occasionally dense. Despite this, the poignant portrayal of familial bonds resonates strongly. MLA Style: Bewilderment. Richard Powers.
Who Should Read Bewilderment?
A reader who enjoys Bewilderment by Richard Powers likely appreciates literary fiction that explores complex emotional and scientific themes. Fans of Powers' The Overstory or Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See will find resonance in its profound narrative that merges environmental concerns with intimate human experiences.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Allegory / Fable / Parable
American Literature
Climate Change
Grief / Death
Mental Illness
Emotions/Behavior: Love
Emotions/Behavior: Grief
Natural World: Environment