Bewilderment

by Richard Powers

Astrobiologist Theo Byrne is raising his unique, nine-year-old son Robin alone after the death of his wife. Robin is a sensitive, artistic boy who spends hours painting endangered animals, but his violent outbursts at school put him at risk of expulsion. Searching for a way to help his son, Theo discovers an experimental neurofeedback treatment that could control Robin's emotional volatility. As Theo guides Robin through the treatment, their bond is tested by the weight of their shared grief and the fragility of the natural world they both cherish.

Genres: science-fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, 21st-century, family-drama

Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: found-family, grief

Paperback

Content warnings: mental-illness

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