Bewilderment by Richard Powers (Random House UK, Cornerstone)

Widower Theo Byrne is young astrobiologist who searches for life on other planets dozens of light years away. He raises an unusual nine-year-old son Robin. Robin's thoughts and feelings are deep, he loves animals and nature. Unfortunately he also has some behavioral issues.

Theo tries to help his son, but the only solution he gets is to put Robin on psychoactive drugs and the other is to send him to another planet. And Robin just wishes to save this one.

The book is full of questions about our brutal destructive world, full of climate changes, illegal immigrant issues, pandemics and politics, all so overwhelming for sensitive people.

The Bewilderment is engaging, visionary and formidable novel. Narrative is almost poetic. Richard Powers captivated me with The Overstory, and with The Bewilderment is the same and it is to no one surprise that the book is longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize. He is an outstanding and persuasive author.

Profound, yet provocative read for all nature lovers.

5/5