Richard Powers at First Parish Church

Harvard Book Store welcomes Richard Powers—Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Overstory—for a discussion of his new novel The Playground. He will be joined in conversation by Robin Young—Peabody Award–winning documentary filmmaker and host of NPR's Here & Now.

Ticketing

Tickets include admission for one, one hardcover copy of The Playground, and an autographed bookplate. There is no book signing after the presentation. 

About The Playground

Four lives are drawn together in a sweeping, panoramic new novel from Richard Powers, showcasing the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Overstory at the height of his skills. Twelve-year-old 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 on naval bases across the Pacific with art as her only home. Two polar opposites at an elite Chicago high school bond over a three-thousand-year-old board game; Rafi Young will get lost in literature, while Todd Keane’s work will lead to a startling AI breakthrough.

They meet on the history-scarred island of Makatea in French Polynesia, whose deposits of phosphorus once helped to feed the world. Now the tiny atoll has been chosen for humanity’s next adventure: a plan to send floating, autonomous cities out onto the open sea. But first, the island’s residents must vote to greenlight the project or turn the seasteaders away.

Set in the world’s largest ocean, this awe-filled book explores that last wild place we have yet to colonize in a still-unfolding oceanic game, and interweaves beautiful writing, rich characterization, profound themes of technology and the environment, and a deep exploration of our shared humanity in a way only Richard Powers can.

Praise for The Playground

"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

"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 storytellers. The Playground is brilliant, captivating, and important―and the best book I’ve read this year." ―Andrea Wulf

Masking Policy

Masks are encouraged but not required for this event.