Book Review: The Overstory

Reviewed by Phuong

The Overstory by Richard Powers

First, insane.

Second, holy ****.

The beautiful thing about fiction is that a world, completely new and different, evolves right in front of your eyes. This one was especially life changing for me.

Richard Powers builds this expansive relationship between the reader and the character’s lives that feels so surreal. Their backgrounds, motives, and dedication to the care of a vast variety of dying trees is a treat to be able to get to know. The Overstory includes several real-world elements including character stories, events, and the trees' own abilities that keeps this book so alive.

I’m so grateful to have come across this book, it’s beautiful and written to be so unique in how the story unfolds. It’s a book that I’ll continue to go back to throughout my life, I’d like to think.