“Playground” by Richard Powers

Note: preceding meetup June 16 is “Theo of Golden“ by Allen Levi

• What we'll do

Finish reading, then join us in person, share your insights over a meal and/or drink(s) at Bar Storia del Caffè, The Salil Hotel. It’s on Soi Sukhumvit 57 and is a 7-minute walk from BTS Thonglor station.

Approximately 416 pages.
It’s available at Kinokuniya Bookstore for 474 baht.
On amazon kindle it’s $9.50
Or you may prefer the audiobook from audible.com with a running time of 13h 51m.

Should anyonee who RSVP’s be in need of the ebook please contact the host.

Synopsis
Four lives are drawn together in a sweeping, panoramic new novel. Twelve-year-old Evie Beaulieu sinks to the bottom of a swimming pool in Montreal strapped to one of the world’s first aqualungs. Ina Aroita grows up in naval bases across the Pacific with art as her only home. Two polar opposites at an elite Chicago high school bond over a three-thousand-year-old board game; Rafi Young will get lost in literature, while Todd Keane’s work will lead to a startling AI breakthrough.

They meet on the history-scarred island of Makatea in French Polynesia, whose deposits of phosphorus once helped feed the world. Now the tiny atoll has been chosen for humanity’s next adventure: a plan to send floating, autonomous cities out onto the open sea. But first, the island’s residents must vote to greenlight the project or turn the seasteaders away.

Set in the world’s largest ocean, this awe-filled book explores that last wild place we have yet to colonize in a still-unfolding oceanic game, and interweaves beautiful writing, rich characterization, profound themes of technology and the environment, and a deep exploration of our shared humanity.

• Important to know

No entrance fee, no membership fees. Your patronage of the cafe is highly appreciated, as usage of their facility is without charge. Expect meal/drink to average 450 baht thereabouts