Scarlett biblio3

Philosophically-Oriented Critical Bibliography

Richard Ford – Be Mine
1. Kevin Power, "Be Mine by Richard Ford review – America, the fool's paradise", The Guardian, June 21, 2023.
Power discusses the novel's exploration of happiness and denial, framing it as a culmination of Ford's social history of the boomer generation.
2. Blake Morrison, "Warty-Fingered Klutzburger: 'Be Mine'", London Review of Books, July 20, 2023.
Morrison examines Ford's skepticism about character, highlighting the novel's themes of changeability and the provisional nature of identity.
3. "Be Mine by Richard Ford: A review", The Nature of Things, November 2023.
This review reflects on Frank's growing awareness of mortality and the desperation that permeates his character, offering insights into the human condition.
4. "Be Mine - Fare Forward", Fare Forward, December 20, 2023.
The article delves into Bascombe's introspection, particularly his contemplation of inaction, and references to theological figures like John Knox and Augustine.
5. "Mortality and failure collide in 'Be Mine', Richard Ford's masterful potential swan song", Scientific Inquirer, August 1, 2023.
This piece discusses the novel as an exploration of life's vicissitudes and a testament to endurance in the face of mortality.

Richard Powers – Playground
1. Yagnishsing Dawoor, "Playground by Richard Powers review - an electrifyingly beautiful tale of tech and the ocean", The Guardian, September 29, 2024.
Dawoor highlights the novel's multifaceted approach, tackling themes of neo-colonialism, artificial intelligence, and oceanography.
2. Tim Middleton, "Review of 'Playground' by Richard Powers", William Temple Foundation, March 7, 2025.
Middleton explores the novel's weaving of ecological devastation, AI takeover, and the fate of indigenous communities, emphasizing its relevance to contemporary issues.
3. "Playground by Richard Powers: A review", The Nature of Things, November 2024.
This review praises Powers' lyrical descriptions and examines the novel's themes of technology's impact on the environment and humanity.
4. "Playground by Richard Powers review - the wonder of the oceans", The Guardian, September 11, 2024.
The article discusses the novel's exploration of transformation, loss, and regeneration, particularly through the character of Evie Beaulieu.
5. "Playground by Richard Powers - an ambitious deep dive", Financial Times, September 2024.
This review considers the novel's intertwining stories and themes, including diving, social technology, and corporate impact on isolated communities.

⸻

🎓 Course Discussion Questions

Be Mine by Richard Ford
1. Mortality and Denial: How does Frank Bascombe's approach to his son's terminal illness reflect broader societal attitudes toward death and denial? 
2. Character and Identity: In what ways does Ford challenge the notion of a stable, coherent self through Bascombe's reflections and actions?
3. The Ethics of Care: What ethical dilemmas arise in Frank's role as a caregiver, and how do they inform our understanding of duty and compassion?
4. Religious Allusions: How do references to figures like John Knox and Augustine enrich the novel's exploration of happiness and moral responsibility? 
5. The Role of Memory: Considering Frank's episodes of global amnesia, how does the novel interrogate the relationship between memory and identity? 

Playground by Richard Powers
1. Human Exceptionalism: How does Powers use the ocean and its inhabitants to question the idea of human superiority and centrality? 
2. Technology and Ethics: What ethical considerations emerge from the development and impact of the AI-driven social media platform in the novel?
3. Colonialism and Environmentalism: How does the novel intertwine themes of neo-colonialism with environmental degradation, particularly in the context of Makatea? 
4. The Concept of Play: In what ways does the motif of play serve as a metaphor for human creativity, freedom, and the potential for both harm and healing? 
5. Interconnected Narratives: How do the intersecting stories of Evie, Todd, and Rafi contribute to the novel's overarching philosophical inquiries?