Playground is in some ways three stories woven together. The first story is Todd Keane’s. He is born in Evanston, IL, , becomes a billionaire working with computers and artificial intelligence and is suffering from Lewy Body Dementia. He meets Rafi Young when they are students at St. Ignatius High School in Chicago and they become best friends. Rafi is extremely bright, Black and full of guilt. Unfortunately, both men fall in love with the same woman. The third tale involves Evelyne Beaulieu, a famous Canadian scuba diver who is more at home under the sea than on dry land. These characters come together on the Polynesian island of Makatea.

Just as The Overstory made me appreciate the beauty, wonder and intelligence of trees, Playground does the same for what lies in the seas. Like all of Richard Powers novels, Playground explores timely subjects in depth without sacrificing plot and characters. This is not an easy read but it is beyond worthwhile.