Bewilderment

Bewilderment is a poignant novel by Richard Powers that follows Theo Byrne, an astrobiologist searching for life on distant planets, and his unique nine-year-old son Robin. As a widowed father, Theo must navigate raising his troubled but brilliant child while resisting pressure to medicate him. Key features: • Shortlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize • Written by acclaimed author Richard Powers • Explores themes of parenting, grief, and environmental consciousness • Combines science fiction elements with family drama • Features a unique father-son relationship • Examines modern approaches to childhood behavioral issues The novel's cover features an artistic silhouette filled with nature imagery including trees, birds, and flowing water, reflecting the book's themes of environmental connection and the mysteries of consciousness. The story tackles complex subjects like neurodiversity, environmental destruction, and the search for life beyond Earth while maintaining an intimate focus on the relationship between a father and son grappling with loss and understanding their place in the universe.