Bewilderment: A Novel
AN OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB SELECTION
An Instant New York Times Bestseller
Shortlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize
Longlisted for the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction
A heartrending new novel from the Pulitzer Prize–winning and #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Overstory.
The astrobiologist Theo Byrne searches for life throughout the cosmos while single-handedly raising his unusual nine-year-old, Robin, following the death of his wife. Robin is a warm, kind boy who spends hours painting elaborate pictures of endangered animals. He’s also about to be expelled from third grade for smashing his friend in the face. As his son grows more troubled, Theo hopes to keep him off psychoactive drugs. He learns of an experimental neurofeedback treatment to bolster Robin’s emotional control, one that involves training the boy on the recorded patterns of his mother’s brain…
With its soaring descriptions of the natural world, its tantalizing vision of life beyond, and its account of a father and son’s ferocious love, Bewilderment marks Richard Powers’s most intimate and moving novel. At its heart lies the question: How can we tell our children the truth about this beautiful, imperiled planet?
Bewilderment: A Novel by Richard Powers explores the intricate bond between a father and his neurodivergent son, Theo. Set in a near-future world, the story delves into the themes of parental love, scientific advancement, and the challenges of raising a child with unique abilities.
Theo, a precocious nine-year-old boy, possesses an extraordinary ability to perceive the world in intricate detail and connect with nature on a profound level. His fascination with the natural world and his uncanny insights challenge conventional norms and bring both joy and concern to his father, a renowned astrobiologist.
As Theo's unique talents become more apparent, he faces mounting pressure from society to conform and adapt to a world that often fails to understand him. His father, torn between his love for his son and the desire to protect him from potential harm, embarks on a quest to find a balance between Theo's extraordinary abilities and the limitations imposed by society.
Throughout the novel, Powers weaves a tapestry of scientific exploration, familial bonds, and the complexities of human relationships. He delves into the ethical implications of scientific advancement and the challenges of navigating a world where societal norms often clash with individual differences.
Bewilderment is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that examines the boundaries of human understanding, the power of love, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary fiction, family dynamics, and the intersection of science and humanity.
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