Themes/Content:
Science, astronomy, developmental disorder, memory, grief, loss, parenting, government, social standards, social expectations, law, nature, endangered species, planetary health, personal core values.
Synopsis:
Theo is an astrobiologist whose research and teaching involves searching the galaxy for planets with the prospect to host life. Following the death of his wife and coping with his own grief, Theo is struggling to single-handedly raise his nine-year old son Robin, who has been diagnosed by professionals with three different developmental disorders.
Robin is a warm, kind boy with a deep love for animals and earth. He spends hours painting portraits of endangered species and wishes to educate people on the dying planet in a desperate attempt to save it. But as his troubles grow and he is almost expelled from school, Theo has to find a way to keep Robin off psychoactive drugs and maintain his campaign all whilst under the watchful eye of the services.
Thoughts:
This book is absolutely stunning. It holds such a powerful and important story. This was my first read by Richard Powers, and I enjoyed the layout of the book without any defined chapters and the choice of words in writing was beautiful throughout - including the title 'bewilderment'. The story had me thinking deeply and questioning my own footprint on the earth with the choices I make daily. But saying that, I don't think it will be for everyone's liking because of the conflicting stance between love for science and disregard for medicine.
I think this book addresses three key points which we can all reflect on regardless of experiences; firstly, the challenges and stresses of daily life particularly after loss of a loved one. Secondly, the uncertainty and lack of information around how to support (without medicine) children 'on the spectrum' or those who don't fit into any of the known criteria and how to support those caring for such children. And finally, the critical state that the planet and animals are in today.
With scientist parents, Robin is exposed to the real-life facts and morbid details of the harm human generations have imposed on the planet from an early age. I think this knowledge would be too much for any child to bare. Paired with his sensitive state of mind and emotions his movement to save the earth is demanding and unrealistic from the beginning. But Robin is a wonder himself and he achieves so much more then I thought was possible for him through selfless dedication and pure energy. True to his nature, he is just a child and can't understand that some things are out of our control (like the incident with the squirrel).
I liked the idea of the bedtime stories that Theo told Robin where he wondered across the galaxies and discovered new forms of life and living but it sometimes became too much to understand for me and distracted from the real story. It was a brilliant method of escapism for both father and son though and it was nice to be a part of their imagined joy.
I'm not sure if the neural-imaging technique used in this book is real but it was fascinating to read about. If it is, it's amazing what science and technology can do now, to be able to train a brain to imitate another brain by exposure to recorded activities. Wow. It was pleasing to see this intervention work for Robin but at the same time a little creepy that he was almost becoming his deceased mother.
I really sympathised with Theo and couldn't imagine how he was coping with everything going on in his life. Questioning if he really knew his wife and trying to hold on to the memories they shared was so heart-breaking, imagine questioning the truth of most your life?
I understood his conflict with starting Robin on medical treatment, it's a difficult decision to make and I appreciate he was considering it as a last resort so it wasn't completely out of question. The relationship between Theo and Robin was admirable, nobody could understand them better then each other. But, through all the unknown it was obvious that he loved his wife and child whole-heartedly. I just wished the final trip to the Smokies never happened and things ended differently. I was left a little confused with Robin's dialogue, it was unclear to me if he actually spoke or if they communicated through sign language - not entirely sure!
A unique, inspiring book with relevant issues that has already got me considering if I should plant a tree. I think we could all learn something here and would highly recommend this book.
Rating:
4/5
Favourite Quotes:
'That’s the ruling story on this planet. We live suspended between love and ego. Maybe it’s different in other galaxies. But I doubt it.'
'Oddly enough, there’s no name in the DSM for the compulsion to diagnose people.'
'Life is something we need to stop correcting. My boy was a pocket universe I could never hope to fathom. Every one of us is an experiment, and we don’t even know what the experiment is testing.'
'Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.'
'May all sentient beings be free from needless suffering.'
Opmerkingen