LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2024 A POWERFUL NEW NOVEL FROM THE PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AND BOOKER-SHORTLISTED AUTHOR OF THE OVERSTORYAND BEWILDERMENT 'Is there anything Richard Powers cannot write? The world here is complete, seductive, and promising. The writing feels like the ocean. Vast, mysterious, deep and alive' PERCIVAL EVERETT 'An extraordinarily immersive journey through lives linked in mysterious ways - gripping, alarming and uplifting' EMMA DONOGHUE Rafi and Todd are two polar opposites at an elite high school where they bond over a three-thousand-year-old board game. It sets them up for life- Rafi will get lost in literature, while Todd's work will lead to a startling AI breakthrough. Elsewhere, 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. All of these people meet on the history-scarred island of Makatea in French Polynesia, marked for humanity's next great adventure- a plan to send floating, autonomous cities out into the open sea. As the seasteaders close in, how will Evie play the ever-unfolding oceanic game? Will Ina engage in acts of destruction? Todd and Rafi, now estranged, still find themselves in competition- Todd unravels while working on an idea to redraw the boundaries of human immortality, while Rafi and the residents must decide if they will greenlight the new project on their shores and change their home forever. Set in the world's largest ocean, Playgroundexplores that last wild place we have yet to colonize and interweaves profound themes of technology and the environment, and a deep exploration of our shared humanity in a way only Richard Powers can. 'Powers is a master of taking important topics of our times - from threats to our oceans and climate change to AI - and turning them into riveting and fiercely relevant books imbued with psychological insight and a deep awe for nature. This eloquent dance of the scientific and emotional makes him one of our finest story tellers. PLAYGROUND is brilliant, captivating and important - and the best book I've read this year' ANDREA WULF More praise for Richard Powers- 'Powers has extraordinary gifts as a writer' GUARDIAN 'Impressively precise in its scientific conjectures, Bewilderment is no less rich or wise in its emotionality' OBSERVER 'He composes some of the most beautiful sentences I've ever read. I'm in awe of his talent' OPRAH WINFREY 'It is impossible to deny the importance of Powers's message' SUNDAY TIMES 'Refreshing, original and moving' EVENING STANDARD
Richard Powers
Richard Powers is an American author known for his complex and innovative novels that blend science, technology, and the human experience. His most notable works include "The Overstory," a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the interconnectedness of humans and nature, and "The Echo Maker," which won the National Book Award.
Powers' literary style is characterized by his intricate narratives, deep research, and poetic language. He often delves into themes such as the intersection of technology and humanity, environmental issues, and the power of storytelling.
Powers' contributions to literature include pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling and challenging readers to think critically about the world around them. His impact on the literary genre is profound, as he continues to inspire readers and writers alike with his thought-provoking works.
Overall, Richard Powers is a visionary writer whose work has left a lasting impact on literature, particularly in the realm of environmental fiction. His ability to weave together science, philosophy, and emotion has solidified his place as one of the most important contemporary authors.
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