Discuss The Overstory by Richard Powers

Aug. 07, 2019
by ruthiea

Which of the characters do you most relate to and why? Which do you find hardest to understand?

Aug. 08, 2019
by susiej

Several characters say throughout the novel that humankind is "always wrong." What do you think they mean, and do you agree?

Aug. 08, 2019
by susiej

The night Olivia was injured Adam was sent for help, but he returned without assistance. Do you think this was the correct course of action?

Aug. 17, 2019
by MarieA

Why do you think Powers leads with the story of the chestnut trees?

Aug. 20, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

The interrelationship of life

Aug. 20, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

Are you comfortable with quiet, or do you feel the need to fill the void?

Aug. 20, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

Are there any quotes in the book that resonated with you?

Aug. 21, 2019
by MarieA

Nick chooses to spell out the word "Still" in gigantic letters, legible from space. Why do you think he chose this particular word?

Aug. 21, 2019
by MarieA

Do you think the characters were justified in breaking the law? Do you think the authorities' responses were reasonable?

Aug. 21, 2019
by MarieA

Doug asks Adam, "What were we hoping to accomplish? What did we think we were doing?" How do you think the various characters would answer this?

Aug. 21, 2019
by MarieA

Patricia asks, "What's the single best thing a person can do for tomorrow's world?" How would you answer this?

Aug. 23, 2019
by rebeccar

Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

Aug. 26, 2019
by westernabuelita

How are your shelves organized, and what are your reading habits?

Aug. 31, 2019
by viquig

Do you ever "talk" to people with whom you've had a connection, who are no longer living?

Sep. 05, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

Did you know that so many early cultures valued trees? Why do you think that was? And why is it no longer true, for the most part?

Sep. 05, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

How do the Brinkman's, Patricia Westerford's and Neelay Mehta's stories tie in to the novel?

Sep. 05, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

Did Mimi Ma Make the right decision to sell the family heirloom?

Sep. 05, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

Were there particular facts about trees in The Overstory that surprised or impressed you?

Sep. 05, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

What's your response to the question "what use is wilderness?"

Sep. 05, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

Many of the main characters are associated with a specific tree. Which tree would you pick to represent you? Why?

Sep. 05, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

How has your attitude toward the environment changed in the last 10 years? How about the last 20 years or longer? Has The Overstory changed your perspective?

Sep. 05, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

Olivia thinks that she hears voices from beyond the world directing her actions. Do you think this is possible?

Sep. 05, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

"The best arguments in the world won't change a person's mind. The only thing that can do that is a good story." Do you agree?

Sep. 05, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

Overall, what do you think of The Overstory?

Sep. 05, 2019
by BuffaloGirl

Patricia says that she feels "Girls doing science are like bears riding bikes. Possible, but freakish." To what extent is this still true?

Sep. 08, 2019
by djcminor

The Overstory

Discuss The Overstory by Richard Powers

Have you been an activist? If so for what causes? What triggered your involvement?

Which of the characters do you most relate to and why? Which do you find hardest to understand?

Several characters say throughout the novel that humankind is "always wrong." What do you think they mean, and do you agree?

The night Olivia was injured Adam was sent for help, but he returned without assistance. Do you think this was the correct course of action?

Why do you think Powers leads with the story of the chestnut trees?

The interrelationship of life

Are you comfortable with quiet, or do you feel the need to fill the void?

Are there any quotes in the book that resonated with you?

Nick chooses to spell out the word "Still" in gigantic letters, legible from space. Why do you think he chose this particular word?

Do you think the characters were justified in breaking the law? Do you think the authorities' responses were reasonable?

Doug asks Adam, "What were we hoping to accomplish? What did we think we were doing?" How do you think the various characters would answer this?

Patricia asks, "What's the single best thing a person can do for tomorrow's world?" How would you answer this?

Do you think an environmental crisis is underway? If so, do you think the planet can still recover?

How are your shelves organized, and what are your reading habits?

Do you ever "talk" to people with whom you've had a connection, who are no longer living?

Did you know that so many early cultures valued trees? Why do you think that was? And why is it no longer true, for the most part?

How do the Brinkman's, Patricia Westerford's and Neelay Mehta's stories tie in to the novel?

Did Mimi Ma Make the right decision to sell the family heirloom?

Were there particular facts about trees in The Overstory that surprised or impressed you?

What's your response to the question "what use is wilderness?"

Many of the main characters are associated with a specific tree. Which tree would you pick to represent you? Why?

How has your attitude toward the environment changed in the last 10 years? How about the last 20 years or longer? Has The Overstory changed your perspective?

Olivia thinks that she hears voices from beyond the world directing her actions. Do you think this is possible?

"The best arguments in the world won't change a person's mind. The only thing that can do that is a good story." Do you agree?

Overall, what do you think of The Overstory?

Patricia says that she feels "Girls doing science are like bears riding bikes. Possible, but freakish." To what extent is this still true?

Sorry, The Overstory by Richard Powers is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

Discuss The Overstory by Richard Powers

Sorry, The Overstory by Richard Powers is closed for new posts.Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.

Sorry, The Overstory by Richard Powers is closed for new posts.
Please go to bookbrowse.com/onlinebookclub for a full list of conversations.