It's been about two weeks now since "Playground" by Richard Powers was released. I just finished it today and was hoping to discuss it here.
I really enjoyed The Overstory even though the back half lost me a bit with the crime plot. I haven't read Bewilderment as I just finished The Overstory about a month ago, but it seems like maybe I haven't missed much there anyway.
Overall I enjoyed Playground but it felt derivative of The Overstory. The couple growing old together with a complicated relationship, the tech guy building an app that mirrors real life, the overarching theme of thoughtfulness about the environment.
The first half or so was pretty slow. I wasn't particularly invested in Keane and Rafi's friendship. I also felt like Rafi (a black man) was written poorly, almost like a caricature.
But then the last few pages hit and it all tied together, and I might need a re-read, because I think it changes the perspective of everything in the book. I think it also (maybe) excuses Powers writing the caricature, because it's not really "him" writing as an author but Keane's recollection and education of the AI.
What did you think?
by CesareSomnambulist