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Beata 's Reviews > The Overstory

The Overstory by Richard Powers
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really liked it

Having bought this book months ago, I started wondering if I spent my money well. Although I enjoy making my own mind regarding my reading choices, I couldn’t escape coming across many reviews, both positive and negative, as a result, I was a little apprehensive … When I began reading, I thought it’d take me many weeks to get through this novel, however, it turned out to be a compulsive reading for me. Different characters, different stories, one theme: trees. I love forests, parks and try hard to save trees in my neighbourhood, but this novel added a new dimension to my perception of the lives of trees. I’d never read environmental fiction before, and for me this book is powerful. As a reader, I received what I expected to receive from a good book: story and narration that engaged me.
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Quotes Beata Liked

Richard Powers
“You can’t come back to something that is gone.”
― Richard Powers, The Overstory
90 likes

Richard Powers
“The best arguments in the world won't change a person's mind. The only thing that can do that is a good story.”
― Richard Powers, The Overstory
324 likes


Reading Progress

July 29, 2018 – Shelved
July 29, 2018 – Shelved as: to-read
December 22, 2018 – Started Reading
December 22, 2018 –
7.0% "I bought this book months ago, but somehow was reluctant to start reading it ... I WAS WRONG ...."
December 27, 2018 –
43.0%
January 1, 2019 – Finished Reading

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Comments Showing 1-50 of 58 (58 new)


message 1: by Classic reverie (new)
Jan 01, 2019 07:26PM

Classic reverie Wonderful review, Beata!💟 It sounds like a wonderful find and show a that we all have different opinions on books but what makes it great is our own view!


message 2: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 01, 2019 08:14PM

Beata Well said, Tricia :):):) And thank you for your warm & kind words :)) Hugs to you!! :)


message 3: by Nadia (new)
Jan 01, 2019 08:16PM

Nadia Beautiful review! Im looking forward to reading this. 🌲🌲🌲


message 4: by Maureen (new)
Jan 01, 2019 08:21PM

Maureen Lovely review Beata, glad you enjoyed it 😘


message 5: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 01, 2019 08:30PM

Beata Nadia wrote: "Beautiful review! Im looking forward to reading this. 🌲🌲🌲"
Thank you, Nadia :):) I feel very strong about tree preservation even though I wouldn't call myself an activist ...... Hope you enjoy this book :)


message 6: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 01, 2019 08:31PM

Beata Maureen wrote: "Lovely review Beata, glad you enjoyed it 😘"
Thank you, Maureen :) I know it'll stay with me for a long time ...


message 7: by Jaline (new) - added it
Jan 01, 2019 08:47PM

Jaline Wonderful review, Beata! This one is in my sights, too - and it's encouraging that you enjoyed it so much. :)


message 8: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 01, 2019 08:51PM

Beata Thank you, Jaline :)) I did enjoy it, and hope you like it, too :))


message 9: by Kathleen (new) - rated it 3 stars
Jan 01, 2019 09:01PM

Kathleen I have had similar thoughts in regards to this one. I was so disappointed with Annie Proulx's Barkskins, I was hesitant to tackle another long book about trees. You have reassured me that this one will be different.


message 10: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 01, 2019 09:08PM

Beata Barkskins is on my list, Kathleen, but I don't think I'll jump to read it just after Overstory .... I liked it, but if you're not sure, I guess you'd better borrow the book rather than buy it ... Thank you for your kind comment, Kathleen :))


message 11: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 01, 2019 10:40PM

Paula K Lovely review, Beata! I enjoyed this book also and found it to be very engaging.

Happy New Year!🎉


message 12: by Barbara (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 01, 2019 10:45PM

Barbara I haven't read anything by Powers but 2019 will be the year. I bought some of his previous books at a library book sale. Maybe I'll get through all his books (always an optimist),


message 13: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 02, 2019 05:39PM

Beata Paula wrote: "Lovely review, Beata! I enjoyed this book also and found it to be very engaging.

Happy New Year!🎉"
Happy too hear you liked this book :)) Happy New Year & happy reading! :)


message 14: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 02, 2019 05:40PM

Beata Barbara wrote: "I haven't read anything by Powers but 2019 will be the year. I bought some of his previous books at a library book sale. Maybe I'll get through all his books (always an optimist),"
For me, this was his first book I'd read, and I think I'll follow Powers :) Keep my fingers crossed :)


message 15: by Dan (new)
Jan 03, 2019 01:31AM

Dan Lutts I'm glad you were pleasantly surprised by the book.


message 16: by Bookish Ally (new)
Jan 03, 2019 03:08AM

Bookish Ally I’ve never heard of environmental fiction as a genre before! I learned something new today, and now I will have to look up what it is.


message 17: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 04, 2019 08:11PM

Beata Dan wrote: "I'm glad you were pleasantly surprised by the book."
It's a sheer pleasure for me when I start reading and I'm not 100% convinced I'll like it and then ...... Love literary surprises, Dan :)


message 18: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 04, 2019 08:12PM

Beata Bookish Ally wrote: "I’ve never heard of environmental fiction as a genre before! I learned something new today, and now I will have to look up what it is."
I guess it's a new term. Bookish Ally ;) there are soo many new types of fiction which I find surprising, too :)


message 19: by Hanneke (last edited Jan 06, 2019 11:33AM) (new) - added it
Jan 06, 2019 11:31AM

Hanneke Great review, Beata! Richard Powers is a fantastic writer. 'The Time of our Singing' is one of my very favorite novels ever. Richard Powers was here in Amsterdam a few months ago and I went to his lecture, in which he extensively told about his urge to write The Overstory. That was a very passionate speech. Everyone in the audience was moved to hear him talk about the big Red Forest trees, where he got his inspiration to write the novel. He thought it was outrageous that people just think they have the right to cut down and destroy 2000 year old trees and, anyway, think they own the world to do with as they please. So I am curious to read the book soon.


message 20: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars
Jan 06, 2019 02:06PM

Mo Moses Super cool, Hanneke, that you were able to see him at a lecture! I think you will very much like this book!


message 21: by Hanneke (last edited Jan 06, 2019 02:50PM) (new) - added it
Jan 06, 2019 02:49PM

Hanneke Mo, we are lucky that way in Amsterdam, because authors do like to visit here on their promotion tours or by invitation of a publisher when a Dutch translation is made of a novel. We also have a terrific American cultural institute, called the John Adams Institute, which invites authors or scientists to give a lecture. I am a member of that Institute so I was lucky to see lots of authors through the years. You can see on their website who gave lectures throughout the years.


message 22: by Mo (new) - rated it 5 stars
Jan 06, 2019 02:56PM

Mo Moses Oh I will go look, thank you!


message 23: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 06, 2019 07:06PM

Beata Thank you, Hanneke :) Actually, the only primeval forest left in Europe is in Poland, it's called The Białowieża Forest, north-east of Warsaw, and when you go there, you are overwhelmed by the beauty of the place ... I agree with you that we have no right whatsoever to cut down trees in order to manufacture matches or toothpicks ... nowadays when I buy books I usually check whether the paper used to print them comes from legal forest farms, or at least I check if it's been recycled. Anyway, Hanneke, I feel strong about forest conservation, so this book did get to me :)


message 24: by Hanneke (new) - added it
Jan 06, 2019 11:48PM

Hanneke Beata, yes, I know Poland has the only primeval forest left in Europe. Wasn't there quite a big issue about it because the government was contemplating to give permits to cut trees? Which idea got rejected. Sorry, I don't remember the details very clearly. Wishing you will walk around that forest your entire life, Beata!


message 25: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 07, 2019 07:55PM

Beata You're right, the idea itself was outrageous ....


message 26: by [deleted user] (new)
Jan 07, 2019 07:57PM

Excellent review, Beata!


message 27: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 07, 2019 07:58PM

Beata Thank you, J.K :)) for your kind words :)


message 28: by Richard (on hiatus) (new) - added it
Jan 16, 2019 08:55AM

Richard (on hiatus) Great review Beata ........ I too have this book and you’ve encouraged me to give it a go in 2019 :)


message 29: by *TUDOR^QUEEN* (new)
Jan 16, 2019 11:58AM

*TUDOR^QUEEN* Lovely review 😃💕


message 30: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 18, 2019 09:03PM

Beata Richard wrote: "Great review Beata ........ I too have this book and you’ve encouraged me to give it a go in 2019 :)"
Thank you, Richard :)) I've got a feeling you'll enjoy it :) Can't wait to read your thoughts ...


message 31: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 18, 2019 09:04PM

Beata *TUDOR^QUEEN* wrote: "Lovely review 😃💕"
Thank you TQ :))))


message 32: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Jan 18, 2019 09:06PM

Beata JV wrote: "Glad that this was an engaging read. Fantastic review, dear Beata! 🤗"
Thank you, JV , for your kind comment :))


message 33: by Karina (new)
Mar 16, 2019 06:50AM

Karina Beata, I always know when I read your reviews I will come out wiser and thoughtful... Trees... very interesting.. I love nature but like you I've never read environmental fiction! Very cool


message 34: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Mar 16, 2019 09:33AM

Beata Thank you, Karina :)) You're a dear!! To be honest, I don't think I've read any other novel of this kind before :) Have a greand weekend, Dear Karina :)


message 35: by Fran (new)
Mar 16, 2019 09:56AM

Fran Great review, Beata!


message 36: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Mar 16, 2019 10:53AM

Beata Thank you, Fran :)) It's an unusual book .........


message 37: by Peter (new) - added it
Mar 16, 2019 11:36AM

Peter Super review, Beata, for a very unique book. I have this one on my list as it was on the Booker Prize shortlist.


message 38: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Mar 16, 2019 11:47AM

Beata Thank you, Peter :) I haven't read Milkman (the winner) but I admit this novel did make impression on me .... but it's long-ish ;))


message 39: by Cait (c.e.reads) (new) - added it
Mar 16, 2019 11:49AM

Cait (c.e.reads) Lovely review!! I’ve also never read environmental fiction before, but maybe I’ll give it a try too :))


message 40: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Mar 16, 2019 11:59AM

Beata Thank you, Caitlin :)) Much appreciate your most kind comment :) Hope you enjoy Overstory as much as I did :)


message 41: by Bookworm (new) - rated it 2 stars
Jan 31, 2020 12:45AM

Bookworm Terrific review! Just starting this book so it was helpful reading your review.


message 42: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Feb 01, 2020 06:30PM

Beata Thank you, Bookworm :)) You're so kind! :)) I do hope you find this book as enchanting as important as it was for me .. :)) Happy reading!


message 43: by Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!] (new)
Nov 12, 2020 07:30AM

Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!] I loved your review, Beata!


message 44: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Nov 12, 2020 11:29AM

Beata Thank you, My Friend :))


message 45: by Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!] (new)
Nov 13, 2020 08:32AM

Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!] Beata wrote: "Thank you, My Friend :))"

👌👌👌


message 46: by Linda (new) - added it
Jun 15, 2021 12:58AM

Linda Snow I’m about to add this one to my list, thanks to you!


message 47: by Karina (new)
Feb 14, 2023 08:55AM

Karina How very interesting! Never even heard of environmental fiction but i love the concept. I love forests and trees and bushes and flowers but i know mass production and corporations are ruining it all. Such a sad thing to think about but makes a great book here


message 48: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Feb 14, 2023 05:32PM

Beata Karina wrote: "How very interesting! Never even heard of environmental fiction but i love the concept. I love forests and trees and bushes and flowers but i know mass production and corporations are ruining it al..."
Thank you, Karina! :)) A completely new genre is eco-thriller, I've just read one, sounds good, doesn't it? I try to do my bit regarding environment and such fiction appeals to me ... Hugs! :)


message 49: by Dee (new) - added it
Feb 14, 2023 05:49PM

Dee Glad to see you enjoyed this so much beata. This caught my eye recently and i was hoping to read it soon. They have cut down a tree outside my work this week. So sad. It was a cherry blossom that is so beautiful when in bloom. Sad times. Nothing really worth going to work for now🤣


message 50: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Feb 14, 2023 06:12PM

Beata Dee wrote: "Glad to see you enjoyed this so much beata. This caught my eye recently and i was hoping to read it soon. They have cut down a tree outside my work this week. So sad. It was a cherry blossom that i..."
Thank you, Dee :)) I too hate it when they cut down trees, especially in my neighbourhood which is a busy city centre .. Why don't you plant a tree as a kind of revenge?? ;)


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