The Overstory Summary
Richard Powers

The Overstory Overview

In The Overstory, author Richard Powers weaves a narrative that subtly showcases the connections between mankind and nature. With nine main narrators, Powers intertwines their narratives in a unique and captivating fashion. A college girl, a sculpture artist, a veteran, an engineer, and a graduate student all come together in a spellbinding way, putting their lives at risk for others. A computer genius discovers the true beauty of the world by building it piece by piece in a wonderful game he creates. Two lovers go through many hardships and discover the beauty of their own backyard. Finally, a scientist who has devoted her life to studying trees takes her own life because it is the greatest thing she can do for the trees she loves so much. This novel shows just how connected all beings on the earth are and what happens when those connections are disrupted.