Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Portland Book Festival: Richard Powers in Conversation

Pulitzer Prize–winning author Richard Powers discusses his new novel, Playground, with Andrew Proctor, executive director of Literary Arts.

Note: This event requires an add-on ticket in addition to the General Admission Festival Pass (wristband) to attend.

About Playground:

Longlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize

A magisterial new novel from the Pulitzer Prize–winning and New York Times best-selling author of The Overstory and Bewilderment.

Four lives are drawn together in a sweeping, panoramic new novel from Richard Powers, showcasing the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Overstory at the height of his skills. 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 on 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 to 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 in a way only Richard Powers can.

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall : Upcoming Events

Arlene
Photo of a curving road with snowy mountain peaks in the background

Oregon Symphony presents The Music of Angelo Badalamenti & Twin Peaks at the Portland'5 Arlene...

Showing: 05/28
Arlene
Photo of The Wailin Jennys together with text that reads "The Wailin Jennys"

True West welcomes folk group The Wailin Jennys to the Portland'5 Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on...

Showing: 05/29
Arlene
Photo of Wynton Marsalis playing trumpet, with name and event info in text

Portland'5 presents Louis: A Silent Film with Wynton Marsalis and Cecile Licad at the Portland'5...

Showing: 05/30
Arlene
Photo of Jake Shane sitting in director's chair with megaphone + tour title text

Live Nation presents comedian Jake Shane at the Portland'5 Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on Saturday, May...

Showing: 05/31
Arlene
illustration of foxes, birds and instruments atop a light green background

Oregon Symphony presents their Music for Families concert Peter & the Wolf at Arlene Schnitzer Concert...

Showing: 06/01
Arlene
Photo of Randy Rainbow and title/tour info in text

Live Nation presents comedian, singer, and actor Randy Rainbow: National Freakin’ Treasure at the Portland...

Showing: 06/06