The Overstory

by Richard Powers

Trees fall with spectacular crashes. But planting is silent and growth is invisible.

She sees it in one great glimpse of flashing gold: trees and humans, at war over the land and water and atmosphere. And she can hear, louder than the quaking leaves, which side will lose by winning.

“The best arguments in the world won’t change a person’s mind. The only thing that can do that is a good story.”