The Overstory
Synopsis
Richard Powers's The Overstory introduces a diverse cast of characters from throughout the United States. They lead separate lives but are united in their passion for nature and environmental activism. For example, we meet a scientist conducting research on the processes of natural decay and fungi, a fiery group of friends protesting deforestation by making a home in the branches of a tree, and a paralyzed video game designer with a luxurious life but no close familial ties. The plot is segmented by the different anatomical parts of a tree, from seedlings to crown. This metaphor emphasizes the interconnectedness of life. Powers tackles relevant topics such as carbon sequestering, feedback loops and mutualism to create an educational aspect underlying the main narrative. Overall this book is about where humans belong within the World's ecosystems and the power of storytelling to enact change. The different genuses of tree varies between points of view and act as individual characters. This ecological epic also poses some interesting questions to the reader, for example why humans are granted certain rights while plants aren't. Is there a way to function and thrive in this world without causing harm to other entities? Finally, what is the value of nature beyond its material capacity?
Review
This novel introduces the reader to nine leading characters, which is a lot to keep up with, especially when the shared defining characteristics is a deep passion for nature and activism. While I did enjoy the initial chapters where we are introduced to each character and a corresponding tree that speaks to who they are as individuals. The book lost me around the beginning of Act II. It's at this point that Powers abandons chapter breaks, which felt more stunted and tedious to read. That jumping around between characters made it impossible for me to connect with any one of them, much less root for their success. It gets so redundant that I considered giving up on it several times. To be fair, it did offer some refreshing perspectives on the role of the individual versus society in preserving nature's vitality, and I thought the way that the author personifies something as seemingly plain as a tree was fascinating.