Hey all,
I am looking for books where an ecosystem features prominently, and each part of this ecosystem participates in a system of meaning making and understanding. The Overstory by Richard Powers is a great example, as is When I Sing Mountains Dance by Irene Solá. Any genre is fine, though I’m mostly looking for contemporary novels.
Thank you in advance!
by IcicleFish
1 Comment
I came here to recommend both overstory and when I sing the mountains dance. Maybe playground by Richard powers?
Elif Shafak’s there are rivers in the sky reminded me a lot of overstory and I preferred it to overstory. It’s similarly told through multiple character perspectives. Instead of a tree and forest, it follows water. It’s a stunning read.
Life of Pi is also beautiful. The man with compound eyes is a similar story to life of pi, but reminded me of when I sing the mountains dance writing style.
It’s a completely different take to the two books you mentioned, but the earth is a leading character in the broken earth trilogy by NK Jemisin. It’s fantasy and set in a dystopian world. The earth has a tonne of agency, and the whole ecosystem participates in a system of meaning making and understanding. But less in an awe and wonder way, and more in an awe and terror way. It’s one of my all time favourite reads so wanted to share in case that sparked your interest.