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Paula K 's Reviews > The Overstory

The Overstory by Richard Powers
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Shortlisted for the Man Booker in 2018, The Overstory is a brilliant and passionate book about humans and their relationship to trees and the natural environment.

The first half of the book is exceptional. Written like short stories, 9 characters are introduced separately with their tree story. Each story has an event that has happened to change the life of the character by the tree or trees that shaped them. The stories are phenomenal.

The second half of the book is about these same characters being drawn together to fight the cause of saving trees. Environmental activism is the center of this part of the book and it’s fight against logging companies who are destroying the American forests.

Richard Powers shows such compassion and enthusiasm throughout his book. However, I found the second half to be too long. Some editing would have gone a long way. His book is 500 pages long and not an easy one to get through. It is well researched and very thought provoking, however. A book that won’t leave the reader for a long time.

4 out of 5 stars
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Quotes Paula Liked

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

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


Reading Progress

September 20, 2018 – Shelved
September 23, 2018 – Started Reading
October 11, 2018 –
70.0% "On page 883 of the Trunk - long book!
It might say 502 pages, but who can read that font...💕📚"
October 25, 2018 – Finished Reading

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Comments Showing 1-47 of 47 (47 new)

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message 1: by [deleted user] (new)
Oct 25, 2018 07:53AM

I really enjoyed The Overstory. Want to read more by Powers.


message 2: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 25, 2018 07:58AM

Paula K Sam wrote: "I really enjoyed The Overstory. Want to read more by Powers."

Just read your review, Sam. Well done. This is my first Powers and will not be my last.


message 3: by Beata (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 26, 2018 12:03PM

Beata Bought it several weeks ago and now I'm preparing myself for this book, Paula :) your 4 stars tell me a lot :)))


message 4: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 27, 2018 08:57AM

Paula K Beata wrote: "Bought it several weeks ago and now I'm preparing myself for this book, Paula :) your 4 stars tell me a lot :)))"

Hope you enjoy it, Beata. A long book, but well worth reading.


message 5: by Meredith (Trying to catch up!) (new)
Oct 28, 2018 09:39AM

Meredith (Trying to catch up!) Fabulous review, Paula!


message 6: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 28, 2018 09:43AM

Paula K Meredith wrote: "Fabulous review, Paula!"

Thanks so much, Meredith!


message 7: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 28, 2018 09:46AM

Paula K Elyse wrote: "Fantastic review Paula -- I looked through this book yesterday when in Bookstore Santa Cruz --I had turned it down when the publisher offered me an advance copy --
I was tempted but I just didn't ..."

Thanks, Elyse. It did take awhile to get through this book, but the stories were well worth it. Now to move on to another Booker nominee!

Have a wonderful weekend!


message 8: by Susanne (new)
Oct 28, 2018 10:22AM

Susanne Great review Paula!


message 9: by Richard (on hiatus) (new) - added it
Oct 28, 2018 12:44PM

Richard (on hiatus) I’ve heard so many good things about this book ........ I’m waiting until I have a chunk of quality reading time to do it justice :) Great review!


message 10: by Candi (new) - added it
Oct 28, 2018 06:52PM

Candi Terrific review, Paula! I'm very interested in reading this one :)


message 11: by Sandra (new)
Oct 28, 2018 09:30PM

Sandra Terrific review Paula! :)


message 12: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 29, 2018 07:16AM

Paula K Susanne wrote: "Great review Paula!"

Thank you, Susanne!


message 13: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 29, 2018 07:34AM

Paula K Richard wrote: "I’ve heard so many good things about this book ........ I’m waiting until I have a chunk of quality reading time to do it justice :) Great review!"

Thank you, Richard. You are right about needing a chunk of quality time!


message 14: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 29, 2018 07:35AM

Paula K Candi wrote: "Terrific review, Paula! I'm very interested in reading this one :)"

Thanks so much, Candi. I hope you get the opportunity to read the book!


message 15: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 29, 2018 07:35AM

Paula K JV wrote: "Lovely review, Paula! Glad you liked this one.😊"

Thank you, JV!


message 16: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 29, 2018 07:36AM

Paula K Sandra wrote: "Terrific review Paula! :)"

Thanks so much, Sandra!


message 17: by Julie (new)
Nov 01, 2018 02:01PM

Julie Good one, Paula!! This sounds good!! ❤


message 18: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Nov 02, 2018 07:30AM

Paula K Julie wrote: "Good one, Paula!! This sounds good!! ❤"

Thank you, Julie! A terrific book!


message 19: by Katie (new) - rated it 4 stars
Nov 02, 2018 07:32AM

Katie Great review, Paula! Like the sound of this.


message 20: by Tammy (new)
Nov 02, 2018 07:38AM

Tammy This is helpful, Paula. Wonderful review!


message 21: by Dianne (new) - rated it 4 stars
Nov 02, 2018 08:36AM

Dianne Terrific review, Paula! Felt much the same as you.


message 22: by Paromjit (new) - rated it 4 stars
Nov 04, 2018 08:28AM

Paromjit Fabulous review, Paula xx


message 23: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Nov 04, 2018 05:48PM

Paula K Katie wrote: "Great review, Paula! Like the sound of this."

Thanks so much, Katie!


message 24: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Nov 04, 2018 05:48PM

Paula K Tammy wrote: "This is helpful, Paula. Wonderful review!"

Appreciate your kind words, Tammy!


message 25: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Nov 04, 2018 05:51PM

Paula K Michael wrote: "Great review, Paula! The length of this is off putting for me, just because I tend not to read longer novels, but maybe one day I’ll give it a try."

Thank you, Michael! It is tough to get through so many pages...


message 26: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Nov 04, 2018 05:54PM

Paula K Dianne wrote: "Terrific review, Paula! Felt much the same as you."

Thank you, Dianne! Great minds think alike!


message 27: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Nov 04, 2018 05:56PM

Paula K Paromjit wrote: "Fabulous review, Paula xx"

Thank you for your lovely comment, Paromjit!


message 28: by Deanna (new)
Mar 18, 2019 10:49PM

Deanna Great reivew, Paula!!


message 29: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Mar 19, 2019 08:11AM

Paula K Deanna wrote: "Great reivew, Paula!!"

Thanks for your kind words, Deanna!


message 30: by Kathleen (new) - rated it 3 stars
Apr 17, 2019 03:27PM

Kathleen Definitely on my TBR list. Love your review.


message 31: by Barbara (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 17, 2019 06:23PM

Barbara Can't wait to read this, Paula.


message 32: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 17, 2019 07:02PM

Paula K Kathleen wrote: "Definitely on my TBR list. Love your review."

Thank you, Kathleen! Glad you will be reading this book!


message 33: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 17, 2019 07:02PM

Paula K Barbara wrote: "Can't wait to read this, Paula."

Wonderful, Barbara!


message 34: by JanB (new)
Apr 18, 2019 05:29AM

JanB Paula, I gained an appreciation for trees when I read Lab Girl. This sounds interesting, and perfect if it hadn’t gone on so long 😉 Great review!


message 35: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 18, 2019 06:32AM

Paula K JanB wrote: "Paula, I gained an appreciation for trees when I read Lab Girl. This sounds interesting, and perfect if it hadn’t gone on so long 😉 Great review!"

Thank you, Jan! I have Lab Girl on audio and haven’t listened to it yet. I’ll have to make sure to do so soon!


message 36: by Wyndy (new)
Apr 18, 2019 08:24AM

Wyndy This one is on my “soon” list. Excellent review.


message 37: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 19, 2019 07:50AM

Paula K Wyndy wrote: "This one is on my “soon” list. Excellent review."

Thanks so much, Wyndy! I will look out for your review!


message 38: by Marc (new) - added it
Apr 20, 2019 03:20PM

Marc Thank you for the honest review. Your praise for the first half of the book convinced me to add it to my list!


message 39: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 20, 2019 06:00PM

Paula K Marc wrote: "Thank you for the honest review. Your praise for the first half of the book convinced me to add it to my list!"

I am so glad , Marc. Please do read the book!


message 40: by Kimber (new)
Sep 22, 2019 10:26AM

Kimber Silver To combine short stories and a novella is an interesting concept. Excellent review, Paula!🌸 Despite the length, I'm glad that you enjoyed this read!


message 41: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Sep 23, 2019 09:13AM

Paula K Kimber wrote: "To combine short stories and a novella is an interesting concept. Excellent review, Paula!🌸 Despite the length, I'm glad that you enjoyed this read!"

Yes, an interesting concept for sure, Kimber, and a delightful read. After finishing the book, however, I am now making sure to look at how many pages are involved before diving into a new book!
And thank you, Kimber...you are always so kind...


message 42: by Cheri (new) - rated it 5 stars
Oct 06, 2019 06:55PM

Cheri Wonderful review, Paula, this is an epic book, and while normally I wouldn't have chosen to read a 500 page book in hardback form, it wouldn't be all that daunting, normally, on a kindle, for instance. But I think that even though I loved this, that it did get bogged down at points, which made it feel like a lot more. I think overall it redeemed itself, and I am happy to see your four stars for it. Personally, I enjoyed (hopefully I'll get this right) Peter Wohllebehn's 'The Hidden Life of Trees' more, even though it's non-fiction - if the topic interests you.


message 43: by Marialyce (new) - added it
Oct 06, 2019 08:31PM

Marialyce Truly a wonderful review of a book that seems to be not only different but well done even if it is 500 pages.


message 44: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 07, 2019 05:59AM

Paula K Cheri wrote: "Wonderful review, Paula, this is an epic book, and while normally I wouldn't have chosen to read a 500 page book in hardback form, it wouldn't be all that daunting, normally, on a kindle, for insta..."

Thank you, Cheri. When I started the book on my Kindle I didn’t even know it was long. You have to go looking for the number of pages when borrowing from Overdrive which I now do! So glad you loved the book and thanks for mentioning The Hidden Life of Trees. I will have to take a look at that book!


message 45: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Oct 07, 2019 06:01AM

Paula K Marialyce wrote: "Truly a wonderful review of a book that seems to be not only different but well done even if it is 500 pages."

Thanks so much, Marialyce! Hope you get the opportunity to read it.


message 46: by Joanne (new) - rated it 3 stars
Feb 15, 2020 02:40AM

Joanne My thoughts exactly Paula! A brilliant read, but I found the last half-ish to be too long and somewhat dithering. Editing would definitely been a bonus 🤗 I’m new to Goodreads, so will look out for more of your reviews for guidance. Cheers


message 47: by Paula (new) - rated it 4 stars
Feb 15, 2020 08:21AM

Paula K Joanne wrote: "My thoughts exactly Paula! A brilliant read, but I found the last half-ish to be too long and somewhat dithering. Editing would definitely been a bonus 🤗 I’m new to Goodreads, so will look out for ..."

Thank you for your comment, Joanne. Agree with your statement that editing would have been a plus. Welcome to Goodreads!


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