Generosity - Richard Powers

True, then: both of Thassa Amzwar's parents are dead. Dead of identity and too much hope. And the daughter is either on newly discovered antidepressants or so permanently traumatized she's giddy. Her writing has that open confidence of a child who might still become an astronaut when she grows up. All her sounds ring, all colors shine. Crippling colonial inheritance, religious psychosis, nighttime raids: she's swept along by the stream, marveling. Her words are naked. Her clauses sprout whatever comes just before wings.

Stone's hands shake as he inks up her assignment.

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Powers is a wonderful writer who has received a lot of well-deserved praise. This book uses a philosophical question to drive the story rather than the characters. The characters are interesting and the reader becomes engaged in their drama. However, what compels the reader to keep turning the pages is the answer to a question of happiness. Is happiness genetically programmed or is primarily learned and developed? Would it benefit the individual or the world if we artificially created happiness? I liked the way Powers developed different perspectives on happiness. He is thoughtful and articulate. At the same time, he creates a story and characters who become involved in a thrilling drama around the theme. I like the writing and found myself thinking for days about this book--thus it's five star review.