The Overstory is a masterpiece 🌳 | Spoiler-free book review

Here's a review of the first (and contender for the best) book I read this year. Richard Powers' The Overstory is a wondrous novel, and it's changed the way I look at the world around me.

This is a spoiler-free review, and I mainly reflect on the themes and feelings, rather than going too deeply into the effectiveness of the plot and characters. Hopefully, if you haven't read it yet, it'll be the nudge you need to pick it up.

This is the first video like this I've done (and took a surprisingly long time to script and make!) so let me know if you enjoyed it and you'd like to see more like it in the future. I'm not sure it's the best review in the world, it's not particularly in-depth, but I'm happy with it as my first attempt at this sort of thing. Hopefully you agree ☺️

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00:00 Introduction
00:16 Weeping for Willows
01:19 The Backstory
02:35 A Book in the Shape of a Tree
04:26 The Altar of the Forest
05:14 Hope
06:32 Wrap-up

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#booktube #bookreview #reading

[benreadsgood]

If you’ve read The Overstory, let me know what you thought of it!

[KJ-vcsw]

I picked up this book recently and am still making my way through the first section, "Roots." The writing is astounding. Brilliantly constructed narratives. Will revisit this comment thread after completing the book.

Really enjoyed your review, Ben. I don't look for detailed explications in YouTube book reviews. Rather, I look for meaningful probings into the soul of the work. You've given us that.

[TripleRoux]

Beautiful review, thank you so much! I'm currently reading it and in love with the language and structure.

[KindleAndCoffeeCups]

AMAZING review 🌳 I just got myself a copy. You are very articulate and this spoiler-free review (which I appreciate for actually BEING spoiler-free) has thoroughly convinced me to put this on my March reading list. Happy reading!

[banjoist]

My mother taught Rick Powers creative writing in high school, DeKalb Illinois. He dedicated "Three Farmers" to her. Our greatest living author, and easily the most intelligent person I've ever talked to. I'm about half way though Overstory and loving it.

[reddotreads]

This book has been on my radar for ages because I love trees! I really enjoyed your review separated into the different parts. You’re very eloquent in describing the different aspects of the novel 😊📚 🌲 🌳

[TrailingThePages]

Excellent review! I’ve had this on my TBR for awhile. I stumbled onto it when perusing the bookshelves and the cover caught my eye, as an avid hiker I’ve always had an affinity to trees and how forests are so magical and brimming with life.

You have me very excited to read this! Great review that avoids spoilers but discusses enough of the themes to pique one’s interests. Saving this for the spring for when I’m out in the woods more often to get me more immersed.

[Sweetlife]

Reading now.. have always loved trees and am astounded by this ode to trees!

[hollyb]

This book is so painfully good and beautifully written. It hurt me to read it, but it was so worth it.

[verykindperson]

Lovely review! I have The Overstory on my to-read list and your review convinced me to read it in the upcoming month.

[spexi]

LOVE Bewilderment sooo much - one of my top 2 reads of last year and probably ever- and immediately got Overstory and it’s waiting on my TBR nightstand RN

[oyasumikisi]

Thank you for this review, I was not planning on reading it just because of its size, but you really inspired me to add it to my to-read list.

[sniffingthesheets]

I'd never heard of this book until now; added to my TBR. Brilliant review

[BrabyTheCool]

im inspired to read this book because my favorite singer Andrea Von Kampen released 2 songs based on this book so now i have to read it

[supersaiyansan]

How good the book is if i had to use eco criticism in it for my thesis showing human and nature relationship

[mradcaqbdb]

I have to agree with your other commenter who said they hadn’t been planning on reading this book due to its size until they saw your video. I don’t do well with big books, but I definitely want to give The Overstory a try now. Perhaps on audio. Thanks for your thoughts on it!

[giantcupofcoffee]

I’ve had this on my shelf for a year and still haven’t gotten to it 😮