A review by okayletsread
Bewilderment by Richard Powers

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

There are so many devastating themes packed into a fairly compact package. On the surface, this book seems to be about astrobiology, conservation, environmentalism, animal rights, and politics. Really, it's an exploration of a father-son relationship as they navigate the grief of Aly, Theo's wife, and Robin's mom.

The writing is at times stunningly crafted, and other times, it was a bit meandering. I have a hard time really investing in books that very directly have an agenda, but much of the prose still kept me interested. The climax at the end felt a bit rushed, too. My feelings are a bit all over the place with this one, but it sure made me think. Good books do that. 
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