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Literary Fiction· United States

The Overstory

by Richard Powers
Aggregate Editorial Score78/100
★Pulitzer Prize
Published 2019531 pagesEnglish
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

The Overstory by Richard Powers is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 2019. Nine interconnected stories about people drawn into the struggle to preserve the world's forests converge in Powers's Pulitzer-winning environmental epic. The real protagonists are the trees themselves—their communication, their ancient time—as the novel argues for a radical expansion of what we value and how we see. Themes of trees, environmentalism, activism run through the work. The book has received recognition from Pulitzer Prize 2019.

Book Details

AuthorRichard Powers
Published2019
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages531
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780393356687
Editorial Score78/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 2019, Richard Powers's The Overstory is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with trees, environmentalism, activism, interconnection gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Overstory among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Pulitzer Prize 2019. Our aggregate score of 78/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. The appeal of The Overstory lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of trees, environmentalism, activism, interconnection is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within United States's literary landscape, Richard Powers occupies a significant position. The Overstory is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Pulitzer Prize
winner · national
201974
✍️
About the Author
Richard Powers
United States
View Author →

Richard Powers is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Overstory about?

Nine interconnected stories about people drawn into the struggle to preserve the world's forests converge in Powers's Pulitzer-winning environmental epic. The real protagonists are the trees themselves—their communication, their ancient time—as the novel argues for a radical expansion of what we value and how we see.

Who wrote The Overstory?

The Overstory was written by Richard Powers, from United States. First published in 2019.

What awards has The Overstory won?

The Overstory has received the following awards and honours: Pulitzer Prize 2019.

Is The Overstory worth reading?

The Overstory is a widely acclaimed work with strong critical consensus, with an aggregate editorial score of 74/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in trees, environmentalism, activism.

Where can I buy The Overstory?

You can buy The Overstory on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Overstory?

The Overstory is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Overstory from?

The Overstory originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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