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Playground: A Novel

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New York Times Bestseller Finalist for the 2024 Kirkus Prize Longlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize As Seen on CBS Saturday Morning • A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice • Named a Best Book of 2024 So Far by The New Yorker and Vogue • Selected as "Fiction to Read this Fall" by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, People, and Parade • A Time, Vulture, Kirkus, and Goodreads Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2024 • Named a Top Read of the Season by the AARP 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 on 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 to 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. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company (September 24, 2024)


Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 24, 2024


Language ‏ : ‎ English


File size ‏ : ‎ 3958 KB


Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled


Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported


Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled


X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled


Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • The word “playground” means more than you think
“It excited [her] to learn that there were chapters in her own past that she had not yet experienced. At the same time, she was saddened to learn that she would never get to experience so many things from her own future.” (p349) At one level one could argue this is a very good “climate novel” (a genre of its own these days), and the book has a lot in common with the author’s spectacular “The Overstory”. But this is Richard Powers, so there’s much more to it than that. True to form, Powers delivers another emotionally and structurally complex opus. Let’s put it this way: the word “playground” in the book’s title means more than you might think. Powers takes us through the history and impact of information technology (especially AI and social media). He throws in colonization, grand-scale exploitation, art, dementia and mortality itself, and delivers plenty of sharp, thoughtful social commentary. At its heart, though, this is the story of the deeply personal journeys of a small number of profoundly interesting characters. Initially, several independent stories on multiple timelines compete for our attention. It’s a little disorienting at first. But as they come into focus, the stories begin to circle each other and then intersect. In fact they collide. The ending is poignant but enigmatic, building on a few puzzling developments that occur earlier in the story. You’ll end the way you started – somewhat disoriented. But you’ll see the somewhat surprising point of it all, and the journey will move you profoundly. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2024 by DJ
    • On Seaing
This is a complex, deeply rich read. I am left breathless. Richard Powers: his Powers of insight, his broad knowledge and understanding, his magical, glorious writing and his cry for saving our everything have created a masterpiece.
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2024 by Karen K
    • Beautiful & confusing
This book is an homage to life, a cautionary tale about AI’s encroachment on it; and a love story involving the living ocean and two sets of human protagonists. Of course, it’s beautifully written; it’s by Richard Powers! It is prodigious. At times, though, especially in the book’s first half, the chapters are disjointed, forcing me to turn back repeatedly to capture connections that I must have missed, but really hadn’t. It all comes together in the end, although even that contains elements of confusion. (Likely planted on purpose.) That’s why I rated it four stars instead of five. Most likely, however, the lost star is more attributable to my own shortcomings than to the book’s. Richard Powers is that good. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2024 by David Frances
    • clearly it is ocean
A friend and I came back to the surface after our first time underwater in Alor Indonesia, silently returned to shore, sat down and then simultaneously burst into tears. I didn’t know such reefs still existed. Finishing this book, the same thing happened. Brilliantly written, it’s a deep dive into the meaning of it all. I wish everyone could read it. Thank you, Richard Powers ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2024 by noblejoanie
    • His best
I promised to tell you about "Playground" by Richard Powers, Novelist. I just finished it last night and like all of Richard Powers work, it takes a while to process. I can tell you that it is deeply educational about ocean life, provocatively interesting, and a story that some can relate to. Powers has created a link between several individuals. If you read it you will follow the story of 2 brilliant young men who become friends at an early age, One, becomes a powerhouse in the world of tech, the other will make his mark on the world of literature. (Author Richard Powers knows of those worlds well). The third, and perhaps most interesting is a young girl who becomes a pioneer in underwater exploration, and an advocate for her friends of the deep. Their worlds interwine early then collide later. It is an interesting look at their lives personally but also an essay on global issues, what we need to be preserving, and the politics of the world, and how all lives and beings of our worlds intersect. I enjoy his work but as I have said, it is not for everyone. The stories are inside the stories and sometimes they don't just jump out at you, you have to find them to get the best of his writing. For those of you who don't know, Richard Powers lives among us in Blount County. His Pulitzer Prize winner "Overstory" was set in part in our area and brought him to live and love the unspoiled areas of the Great Smokies. "Playground" is the third of his books that I have read but you will find several others under his resume. Available on Amazon and other online outlets in hard copy and digital editions I highly recommend his books. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2024 by Christy Martin
    • All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream.
Another incredible book by Powers. It works on so many levels and is a joy to read. I just finished it and already planning to read it again.
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2024 by Cosmic Cowgirl

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