With its soaring descriptions of the natural world, its tantalizing vision of life beyond, and its account of a father and son’s ferocious love, Bewilderment marks Richard Powers’s most intimate and moving novel. At its heart lies the question: How can we tell our children the truth about this beautiful, imperiled planet?

Richard Powers has published thirteen novels. He is a MacArthur Fellow and received the National Book Award. His most recent book, The Overstory, won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. This exclusive interview was recorded for 5x15 in October 2021.

5x15 brings together outstanding individuals to tell of their lives, passions and inspirations. 

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Richard Powers on Bewilderment in conversation with Rosie Boycott

Richard Powers’ characters are often both artists and scientists—disciplines he sees as intertwined. In a delicious moment in this March 2008 reading, he describes the commonality between art and science as a state of “bewilderment,” which happens to be the title of his new book, released thirteen years later in September 2021. 

In this recording, Powers shares a short story called “Modulation.” A story that draws on Powers’ knowledge of music and technology, “Modulation” centers on the global dissemination of a musical computer virus. 

Powers’ work embodies this spirit of marveling and wondering in a most bewildering way. His writing describes in Technicolor detail our most ephemeral human experiences, yet his precision doesn’t define; instead, it expands our awe and pondering long after his tales are over.

Richard Powers

Richard Powers is an author that has either won or been a finalist for some of the top literary prizes. His fiction writing is always deeply developed, and beginning with "The Overstory," has been related to the environment. In today's episode, my guest discusses coming across the book, what's resonating, and what sets the novel apart from others. 
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Interested in this title? Consider supporting local bookstores and this podcast by purchasing from: https://bookshop.org/a/79981/9780393356687
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Host: Kyle Johnson (@panic_kyle and @panic_kyle_booktok);
Guest: Ryan C (@ry_brary);
Music: Julian Loida (www.julianloida.com)
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Get in touch with the show! panic.kyle.tt@gmail.com

Wallflower

Ryan C Reads "The Overstory" by Richard Powers

What does Michelle Obama's 2018 memoir, "Becoming," have to offer in conversation with science fiction? Quite a lot, as it turns out. When we look at her reflections on identity-building and personal transformation, we see a perfect template for examining these same subjects in science fictional works ranging from Annalee Newitz's "Autonomous" and Martha Wells' Murderbot series to Jeff VanderMeer's "Annihilation" and Nnedi Okorafor's "Binti."

And let's be honest, we both really wanted to talk about Michelle Obama's book, too!

Looking for the link to the Annalee Newitz article we mention in the cast? You can find it on io9 under the headline "Six Good Habits I Learned From Being Bullied as a Geeky Kid" or at https://io9.gizmodo.com/six-good-habits-i-learned-from-being-bullied-as-a-geeky-5966749. Enjoy!

You can find ALL of our back episodes on Youtube. Our Twitter handle is @imaginary_pod, our website www.imaginaries.net, and our email imaginarypod@gmail.com. If you would like to help support our work, you can do so at www.ko-fi.com/imaginaries.

Episode 75 : #IAmBecoming & Michelle Obama's "Becoming" vs Science Fiction

We shop talk imaginary things in books, comics, movies, television, & more. Follow us on iTunes, Soundcloud, or YouTube! Support us at http://Ko-fi.com/imaginaries.

A podcast about what people all over the world are currently reading, whether that be a Shakespeare play, harlequin romance novel, biography, or even just the newspaper.

SAL/on air is a literary podcast featuring engaging author talks and readings from over thirty years of Seattle Arts & Lectures' programming. 

Seattle Arts & Lectures (SAL) is a literary nonprofit. We champion the literary arts by engaging and inspiring readers and writers of all generations in the greater Puget Sound region.

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"A pleasingly simple concept... one of the best things I've come upon in the last six months" (The Telegraph - 'Best Podcasts')

5 speakers, 15 minutes each. Script free and against a less-than-precise clock, some of the world's leading figures in the arts and sciences deliver talks about their enduring achievements, wildest moments or deepest passions. It's inspiring, informative, provoking, and above all, entertaining. Based in London but making forays to Sydney, New York and Milan, 5x15 has featured Joanna Lumley, Brian Eno, Jonathan Safran Foer, Jung Chang, Ruby Wax and Alain de Botton.

New tracks tagged #The Overstory