49 pages 1 hour read

Richard Powers

Bewilderment

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Before You Read

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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

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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 this

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+years

Book Details

Genre

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Allegory / Fable / Parable

American Literature

Topics

Climate Change

Grief / Death

Mental Illness

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Love

Emotions/Behavior: Grief

Natural World: Environment