PLAYGROUND is Richard Powers' newest exploratory novel.

"We are condemned to freedom," Powers tells us, and he adeptly crafts a complex story with multiple storylines that explore the themes of what we owe to the environment as well as what we owe to each other, humans and creatures alike. It is a provocative exploration of friendship, of families, of the earth, and of the tenuous bonds around us.

The audiobook boasts a cast of narrators: Edoardo Ballerini, Robin Siegerman, Eunice Wong, Pun Bandhu, Krys Janae, and Kevin R. Free. Each one takes on a different character, which helps keep the various storylines straight for readers and lends itself to a richer listening experience.

(Thank you to Spotify Audiobooks for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)

This was my first Richard Powers book and after seeing all the awards he has gotten previously (and assuming he would get one for this one), I wanted to jump on the bandwagon early to read it. But it took me forever to get through. I had trouble keeping up with what was happening, maybe it could have been a little more focused. Great ending though.

Richard Powers is an incrediblly talented author, so it came as no surprise when I saw that this book was longlisted for this year's Booker Prize. I immediately requested this audiobook, because I have a deep fascination (and fear) of the ocean. Powers explores the relationship and impact between technology and nature, and the balance between innovation and preservation for one French Polynesian island. These themes and nuanced, but Powers' ability to traverse the topical landscape reveals so much about his passion and dedication to the subject of environmentalism. I was also impressed with the narration here, and I thought the distinction between voices was helpful. I think all books should have full casts, but especially for stories like this where there are a lot of moving parts. I would definitely recommend this audiobook to my audience!

Excellent! As a tree hugger (and conifer society member), I loved The Overstory by Richard Powers. I was a bit reluctant to request Playground (also by Richard Powers) because I couldn't imagine liking his new release (about the ocean) nearly as much as The Overstory. Well, I was wrong ... and admit that I enjoyed Playground just as much (or more!) than Overstory.

I loved learning about the ocean and I loved the characters (and character development) in Playground. Additionally, I appreciated the midwest setting of Chicago for part of this novel.

Don't miss Playground. Longlisted for the Booker Award.

On my list of favorite books for 2024!

Many to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for approving my request to listen to the advance review copy of Playground in exchange for an honest review. Approximately 13 hours.

I might be talked into bumping it to a round 3 based on the ending. Just read Trust and In Ascension instead.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this highly anticipated audiobook from NetGalley. In this rich literary novel, multiple storylines intertwine. As each character’s arc unfolded it took a bit for me to sink into their storyline but ultimately I did get drawn in. I love the full cast of diverse narrators that bring the audiobook to life. The book did feel a bit long to me and loved slowly at times. I was excited to see this was longlisted for the Booker Prize and named a finalist for the Kirkus Prize in Fiction.

Thanks, Spotify Audiobooks, for the audiobook via NetGalley.

I’m not smart enough for this one. I thought I was staying afloat, but then another wave of time frame or POV shift would hit me, and I’d flounder. I typically enjoy stories with interweaving storylines, but I finished this audiobook and just stood there, frowning and blinking.

Let me see if I can explain it.

Todd Keane, age 54 (voiced by my beloved Ballerini), tells us about growing up and befriending Rafi at a prestigious high school in Chicago. Todd is white and wealthy, and Rafi is poor and black, yet they bond over strategic games like chess and Go while debating the value of their separate philosophical loves: computers and literature. We jump back and forth in time as he tells his life story.

Rafi’s story also jumps back and forth in a separate but overlapping storyline: he’s a teen in Illinois, and then he’s a 50-year-old father on the history-scarred island of Makatea in French Polynesia.

There’s also Evie Beaulieu, a French Canadian who tests one of the world’s first aqualungs as a child and later becomes a world-renowned diver and ocean expert (who, at age 90-something, is on the same tiny island as Rafi). Again, her timeline bounces from childhood to adulthood, detailing her experiences (including writing a book that influences Todd at the beginning of the story).

Other POVs include Rafi’s wife (an artist making a sculpture from trash) and Makatea’s mayor as residents vote on a project to build seafaring cities on their tiny, poverty-stricken island.

And that’s just the mechanics of the novel! Then, there are overarching themes of friendship, loyalty, class, climate change, AI, humanity, progress, pollution, oceanography, love, relationships, etc.

If you read it, let me know so we can discuss it. I have questions.

"Playground" by Richard Powers is a compelling exploration of childhood, imagination, and the intricate relationship between humans and nature. The narrative centers around a group of children who transform their surroundings into a vibrant playground of creativity and discovery. Through their adventures, Powers delves into themes of innocence, community, and the profound impact of the natural world on young minds.

Powers’ writing is both lyrical and evocative, capturing the wonder of childhood with vivid descriptions and a sense of nostalgia. The characters are richly developed, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences that contribute to the overall tapestry of the story. Their interactions are genuine, highlighting the importance of friendship and the shared joy of exploration.

The novel’s structure allows for a seamless blend of individual stories, showcasing how each child's journey reflects broader themes of growth and self-discovery. Powers skillfully illustrates the tension between the carefree nature of childhood and the encroaching realities of adulthood, creating a poignant narrative that resonates with readers of all ages.

One of the standout aspects of "Playground" is its emphasis on the natural environment. Powers beautifully intertwines the children’s experiences with the landscapes they inhabit, emphasizing the importance of connection to nature and its role in shaping our identities. This theme serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty and fragility of the world around us.

I felt "Playground" was a thought-provoking and heartwarming read that captures the essence of childhood and the enduring power of imagination. Richard Powers has crafted a narrative that not only entertains but also invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of play, creativity, and the bonds that shape us. Highly recommended for those who cherish stories that celebrate the joy of discovery and the wonders of the natural world.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I wanted to love this so much, and I think I would have if I had just picked up the physical copy. It is way too difficult to follow in audiobook format for me. I felt like I was hearing new voices and characters with little to no introduction, and it was incredibly confusing as a listener. I am going to give it another chance and it almost feels like going into it blind because I genuinely could not follow any part of the story.

Richard Powers is a genius and one of the best writers of our time. Some days, I had to stop listening to Playground because I wasn’t getting on with my life. I loved his playground analogies for everything in life and our world. I got hooked when he described the games his female protagonist, Evie Bourlieu had to play to gain recognition as an oceanographer. His description of Evie’s strategies to become a respected scientist and diver at Scripps Institution of Oceanography occurred in the 1950s. However, similar mindsets still exist, and Powers portrays sexism and racism in well crafted plot points of this multilayered story.

Evie wrote a book called Clearly It Is Ocean, which another of the four main protagonists, Todd Keane, discovers and leads to his interest in developing a floating autonomous city. However, that was not until he achieved fame and notoriety for using AI to create Playground, a combination of many recognizable 21st century apps. Todd Keane happens to be a wealthy white man who is telling much of this story as a fifty-ish person who has dementia. He reminisces about his formative years and his strong friendship and connection with Rafi Young, a Black man he met in high school. Much of their relationship grew because both enjoyed playing strategy games, being competitive, and becoming the “best” in “everything.” Their relationship suffers in adulthood, and their accomplishments and longstanding bonds are integral parts of the story since the games they play as adults have monumental consequences.

Todd works in coding and AI, while Rafi is a poet. Their stories converge with Ina Aroita, a sculptor and Rafi’s wife. Todd and Ina live on an island called Makatea, formerly known for phosphate mining but chosen for seasteading. The island’s residents must vote to determine whether they will support proposed technological progress and allow their land to become an autonomous city at the risk of destroying ecosystems, particularly coral reefs and marine life.

The environmental themes are most prevalent in this speculative novel about the decisions we make that affect life. The pros and cons of technology and the people who manage our data are also front and center in the plotlines. However, there are enough relationship stories to convey messages about friendship, trust, betrayal, parental expectations, etc. Richard Powers explores voting rights and cultural values regarding art and literature.

What I appreciated most was all of the metaphors about games and strategy. When I taught, I used to tell middle school students that learning to navigate life was a game, and they had to choose which ones to play. Richard Powers has masterfully shown that this philosophy applies to low and high-stakes decisions, fields of inquiry, and civilization. Games rule humanity, and if winning is one’s only goal without regard for morality, there are complex situations and a plethora of results with which we must contend.

I already wrote a review of the print version of Playground, which I tandem read with the audio. In that I said all the things you already know: Richard Powers is truly unique, has unparalleled writing abilities.

Here I'll focus on the audio. Similar to The Overstory, Playground moves around quite a bit in time and POV. The switch in narrators really helped with that because it really clearly demarcated the line between perspectives. That being said, since I did read both versions, I found the scattershot layout of this story a bit hard to follow in the audio. It's not the kind of story you can listen to while you take a walk or other passive activities because it's really easy to lose your focus on all that's going on. The narration itself was excellent, especially the incomparable Edoardo Ballerini. Not a detraction, it was a great audiobook, very quality production, it just might not be for everyone.

Much like The Overstory, Richard Powers has written a paean to one of the most fascinating and mysterious parts of nature, turning from trees to the ocean. The whole big blue of it. Jumping from multiple perspectives, we are primarily in the head of a tech genius in the throes of Lewy body dementia explaining his upbringing to an unnamed character whose identity is realized later. Much of his exposition is centered on what he views as the most important friendship of his life and its tragic splintering. We flit back and forth between his story and that of an oceanographer and diving expert as her deep love of the ocean can't help but convince you of its beauty and importance. The third narrative thread takes us to a small Pacific Island where it's colonized history is leading it to an important vote that will decide the future for a unique and isolated way of life.

As these narratives come together, friendship and kindness shoot to the forefront in a way few outside of Powers can achieve.

This is my first Powers book, and although perhaps backwards, Overstory is next on my list. There is no arguing his incredible gift of prose, but the characters and storyline are also captivating. Listening to this one was a treat with a multiple cast of narrators for the main characters, but it was a bit of a challenge keeping up with the timelines and points of view without pausing and seeing the transitions on the page.
This modern look at current climate change and the possible affects and consequences of AI was fascinating. We meet Evie and Todd and Rafi while young and see how their lives eventually all intersect as Ina comes in as well. Their complex emotions over the decades help us to grasp and know them more intimately. The ocean and its qualities and inhabitants are vividly described, as well as this new world of gaming in the Playground. The potential for a new civilization at sea is explored from all controversial angles.
I'll be reflecting on this one for awhile. It is rightly up for a few book awards already.
Thanks to NetGalley and WW Norton & Company for this ARL. All opinions are mine.

OK….so I just finished this one, and to be honest, I thought it was going to be a DNF. However, I managed to power through it. Still not sure about my feelings on this one though…

There’s a huge amount of ground covered in this one ( or should I say ocean??) And it had its good points. But, it also had its bad points.

🛑🛑 Loose outline follows! Stop here if you don’t want to know! 🛑🛑

I loved the relationship/friendship between Rafi and Todd ( At least for the most part). But that request…outta left field.

I also feel like the skipping back and forth in time, place, POV…they were ALL very confusing! And I absolutely don’t understand the ending. There was a death? Multiple deaths? Still not sure…

At the same token, I loved how they came up with the idea and then ran with it! Loved how they discussed the old time computer technology and how things have so significantly changed!

So yes, good points and bad points…but for me it was much more confusing than anything else. 🤔😮🫣

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #SpotifyAudiobooks for an ARC of the audiobook. The release date was TODAY, 9/24/24.

#Playground by #RichardPowers and narrated by a full cast including #EdoardoBallerini, #RobinSiegerman, #EuniceWong, #PundBandhu, #KrysJanae and #KevinFree.

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.

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5 magnificent stars

Playground, my first book by Richard Powers, is a wonderful playground of delights. I am astounded by the fully realized characters, an intriguing, well-paced plot, vivid underwater scenes, deep, heartfelt sorrows and joys. I am blown away by the audiobook and will be buying a print copy. (Something I rarely do.)

It is obvious that Richard Powers crafted this book from the opening to the final words. His extensive research caresses the pages in subtle ways. I learned more about oceans, the invention of SCUBA, game playing and AI than I have from many other books. My favorite parts were the ocean descriptions and sea creatures playing and relating to humans.

The audio was fantastic. A wide cast of voice actors brought the nuances of each character alive. The accents and the pacing were perfect. The hours flew by, as I wanted to cherish the beautifully written prose.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Playground by Richard Powers
Publishing date 9/24/2024

I was interested in listening to this audiobook because I previously read Bewilderment which I really enjoyed.
I also really like the book cover and ocean theme.
I hesitated a little because I heard this book is similar to his previous book, the Overstory, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction - except Playground tackles on the Ocean whereas the Overstory takes trees/forests.
In reading all three books, his love for the nature and environmental conservancy is apparent. Indeed, I can see similarity to the Overstory which uses multiple points of views, multiple timelines and locations. I had both audiobook AND physical copy of the book for the Overstory, and I still got confused. For Playground, I only had the audiobook. It has multiple narrators which helps a bit, and it's easier to follow than the Overstory personally. I still felt the structure was overly complicated. I also couldn't feel connected to the characters in this book unfortunately.

I feel if you have enjoyed the Overstory, you are likely to enjoy this book. If you thought it was a bit much, you would likely be feeling similar here. I prefer the simplicity of Bewilderment, and hope his next book would be more straight forward.

An advanced copy of this audiobook was provided for review purposes courtesy of Netgalley and Spotify Audiobooks.
Opinions stated herein are my own.

DNF @ 49%

I can truly tell that this book could be something special for the right audience, but I’m really struggling with it. Between the 3rd person POV and only having access to the audio, I had a very difficult time following the stories and that is rare because I am an audiophile who listens to close to 200 books a year.

I have heard nothing but phenomenal things about this author and will absolutely give this book another try when it is out in print, but unfortunately cannot finish it before the pub date with the audio only. I will not be reviewing this elsewhere because, again, I think this is a me problem and not a reflection on Richard Powers’ writing abilities.

Thank you for the opportunity and for the free audio advanced listening copy of this book. I’m sorry it wasn’t for me!

Another stunning work from Richard Powers, this novel highlights the utter beauty of our oceans. And with the stunning writing prowess of Powers, he definitely does it justice. Told from 4 different perspectives, Evie - who we are introduced to at a young age when her father, the inventor of the aqualung, throws her into a pool in Montreal. Todd Keane, a rich boy from Chicago who is fascinated by gaming. Rafi, a gifted black boy from a very different Chicago than Todd. And Ina, an artist who grew up on Naval bases, but considers herself a Pacific Islander. How these 4 people’s stories will overlap and intertwine over the period of the novel weaves wonders for the reader. And again, I cannot stress enough how beautifully Powers brings the ocean to life with his writing. And how much he emphasizes the changing world - not for the better. Extraordinary.

I approached this book with some hesitation, having previously read Bewilderment, which, while good, left me a bit frustrated with its lackluster medical references. But wow—consider me blown away! This book is absolutely phenomenal! The AI aspect instantly grabbed my attention, but it’s the human elements—connections, friendships, love, and the weight of guilt—that truly make this story shine. I couldn’t put it down. The audiobook narration was spot-on.

Playground is a stunner with more beautiful writing than you’ll find in a dozen other completely respectable novels combined. The story is sprawling and interconnected and seemingly about everything—from artificial intelligence to dying oceans to the tenuous connections between human beings—which is to say it’s complex, but infinitely rewarding.

The audiobook with multiple narrators is tremendously helpful in elucidating a complicated narrative that spans multiple characters and decades of time.