Richard Powers won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2019 with his novel “The Overstory”. For our book club, this is the first book under our spring theme (2024) “nature”
The book is all about growing the awareness of the special kind of forestry in the States, especially in the area of the West coast of America, inCalifornia where redwoods grow. According to Wikipedia, “of all the redwoods in the world, 45 % are located in this area.” Coast redwoods are amongst the tallest trees on the planet, and Powers really manages to convey the magnitudes of these trees. As well as the need for preservation of these forests and their thread for logging.
The content of the book is really intriguing; under the four main sections, roots, trunk, crown, and seeds, the reader can learn about the events through 9 different characters. We learn something about the communication system that trees have, and we learn to understand the importance that these huge forests have on the ecosystem – and how there are people, eco-activists, who are willing to sacrifice their lives on behalf of this cause.
As mentioned in the rules and regulations of this literary prize, the prize is handed annually for “the American novel published during the year which shall best present the whole/wholesome atmosphere of American life, and the highest standard of American manners and manhood.” We did find something very so-called American in the book. Even to that extent that the words and sceneries he chooses are overflowing and many choices of words so difficult and complex that some of us would describe his style even “pompous”. This style of his is liked by some, yet pushes some of the readers a bit aside, and leaving somewhat perplexed feelings.
Review of our group: 3,2/5
-Marika
Image: Goodreads.com
Porvoon kirjaston lukupiiri - Borgå stadsbiblioteks bokcirkel - The Book Club of Porvoo City Library 