Bewilderment
Is Richard Powers’ entire MO to gently prod readers to flip life on its side so we can learn to approach our investigation of it differently? Bewilderment is only the second novel of his that I’ve read, but it seems fitting to (almost) end out 2021 with his latest — an Oprah pick, btw — after jumpstarting this crazy year reading The Overstory with my husband. I guess I’ll have to read more Richard Powers to find out.
Bewilderment is shorter, less sprawling than its Pulitzer-winning sibling, but it still gives readers the same open invitation (a more digestible one?) to jump into the life of someone who is enthralled by the natural world and how it’s compatible (or not?) with a technological world — in other words, someone who might have a more expansive view of singular issues. Or not see things as singular issues, but “life” as one complex, intertwined issue. In this case, it’s nine-year-old Robin, who grapples with his mother’s death alongside his father, Theo. Parents will recognize Theo’s careful dance even if they haven’t experienced this type of grief…or even if their child is neurotypical, which Robin is not. That’s the view of the “experts.” But who’s to say…maybe he’s the “typical” one.
I kept thinking of Bewilderment as “Wonder.” That would be a way more trite title (and is taken, of course), but my brain kept going there. Yet “wonder” connotes a peaceful observation and appreciation — and maybe a passive one. “Bewilderment” is something different. Yes, the word connotes “confusion” for us now, but at one point it also meant to be “lured” back into the wilds. So, “Wonder+” I guess.
How easy (er, difficult) is it in 2021 for us to tentatively embrace confusion and look toward the wilderness?
(Basically, Bewilderment + The Overstory were the most poignant books I read this year. I’ve read others that were equally thought-provoking, but none that offered the poignant/thought-provoking one-two punch like these.)
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