Annette's Review
Reviewed: March 2010
I was looking forward to reading this after having thoroughly enjoyed The Echo Maker, which won Powers the prestigious National Book Award, but I must say I found his latest novel extremely hard going. I wanted to read it for the content as much as anything: this is an author who always likes to address the major issues; either the latest ideas in cutting edge science and/or environmental concerns. In Generosity, the topic is the (hypothetical) discovery of the genetic underpinning of happiness, which should have made interesting reading. Alas chaps, although I tried my best, I found the book so very American in its expression that I’m afraid by the time I staggered over the finish line I was indifferent to the whole thing, characters, topic, plot, the whole kaboodle! To be scrupulously fair, it is getting excellent reviews in the USA, but I do think that its appeal will remain exclusive to its country of origin.