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State of Wonder

Ann Patchett

Start date: October 3, 2011

Finish date: November 30, 2011

Discussion: Group Book Discussion

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What Members Thought

May 27, 2011 Kathy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-authors, favorites, highly-recommend

For me, when a book ends with me closing it and exhaling a "wow," then that book has exceeded my expectations and hopes. State of Wonder got a "wow." It's always a risk reading books by the author that created one of your favorite all-time reads, Bel Canto. I admit that in the beginning of the book, I was fairly certain that this book was going to be a step behind my favorite. However, the tale in this most recent novel won me over, partly due to the brilliant last chapter, although the rest of For me, when a book ends with me closing it and exhaling a "wow," then that book has exceeded my expectations and hopes. State of Wonder got a "wow." It's always a risk reading books by the author that created one of your favorite all-time reads, Bel Canto. I admit that in the beginning of the book, I was fairly certain that this book was going to be a step behind my favorite. However, the tale in this most recent novel won me over, partly due to the brilliant last chapter, although the rest of the book merits its own praise. Dr. Marina Singh is a pharmacologist working for a major pharmaceutical company when she is sent to the Amazon to bring back news surrounding the death of her lab partner there and to check on the progress of Dr. Annick Swenson, a mission that her lab partner had also been tapped to accomplish. Dr. Swenson has been working on a break-through in women's fertility, the ability to reproduce into a woman's 70's. The Lakashi tribe, located deep in the Amazon jungle, is the source of this miraculous discovery and the object of Swenson's research of many years. Marina must enter this completely foreign world (her home and place of choice being Minnesota) where dangers appear in the many forms of insects, snakes, unknown river dwellers, and even cannibals. What this intelligent, compassionate doctor discovers is a unique place in which heaven and hell seem to be intertwined like the vines on the trees which close up a space, leaving barely enough room to catch one's breath. Marina calls upon strengths alien and unnecessary in her calm, predictable existence of Minnesota research scientist. Never more alive and never closer to death, she navigates the secrets of this new world and the ghosts of her old one. My only criticism is that it seemed to take a bit long for her to actually get to the jungle in the book, but I think it was a building of contrasts in Patchett's story scheme, from Minnesota to Manaus, the town in Brazil where Marina waits for contact from Dr. Swenson, to the remote jungles of the Amazon River. Each place is a progression of clues and disclosures of both Marina's life and her quest to find answers about the drug research and her friend's demise. Secrets, lies, ethics, morality all require redefining in the different surroundings. Patchett's usual deftness at creating characters who come together in their differences is as strong as ever in this book. I found it a book hard to let go of and close. ...more

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Nov 19, 2019 Linda rated it really liked it

Shelves: signed, own, book-discussion-read, chcpl, orange-cube, fiction, hardback, 2019

The writing was beautiful and evocative. I never knew where this book was going. I'm still confused by some parts, but I willingly went on one heck of an emotional ride with this one. Now, like with any roller coaster ride, let's do it again. ...more

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Feb 05, 2011 Amy rated it really liked it

Shelves: _own-ebook, _own-home-library, fiction, read-in-2011, busy-as-a-bee-books-group

Ann Patchett does it AGAIN! I was reluctant about reading this ... the description of the book did not intrigue me. In fact, I was sure that I wouldn't connect with it. But, the magic of Ann Patchett made it all okay! No matter what she writes about, I seem to love it!

Patchett's ability to take you into a world that is unknown to you, make it come alive, and write it all well is her magic! She is an incredible writer. The Amazon CAME ALIVE in this book. All because of Ann Patchett's incredible w Ann Patchett does it AGAIN! I was reluctant about reading this ... the description of the book did not intrigue me. In fact, I was sure that I wouldn't connect with it. But, the magic of Ann Patchett made it all okay! No matter what she writes about, I seem to love it!

Patchett's ability to take you into a world that is unknown to you, make it come alive, and write it all well is her magic! She is an incredible writer. The Amazon CAME ALIVE in this book. All because of Ann Patchett's incredible writing ability. All in all, the writing is lush, beautiful and engrossing. One of the things I love most about Ann Patchett is that each of her stories is a complete shift from that which she's written before. I never know where she's going to come from, where she's going to take me. For me, all of her novels are amazing - but amazing in completely different ways! And part of the treat in reading a Patchett novel is not knowing where you'll be going from the start. She defies my attempts to pigeonhole her every time!

Although State of Wonder isn't my favorite Patchett novel (I think Bel Canto and Run are overall better novels), it is an EXCELLENT book. Definitely worth reading!

The characters are wonderful, flawed, interesting and compelling. The major and minor characters seem to walk right out of the book, through Patchett' words. They come alive. I love that her characters are never cookie cutter men and women. They tend to be flawed, true and real. And the characters in this novel are no exception. The characters in this novel are multifaceted. They are good and bad - just like you and me!

One of the most impactful (and enjoyable) aspects of this novel is how Patchett makes the jungle come alive. The insects, heat, trees, critters and the suffocating heat/humidity come together for the reader in a way that makes the jungle a critical character in the novel. Each aspect of the jungle is conveyed incredibly!

I admit that the premise of this novel wasn't particularly compelling BUT Patchett surprised me and made it WORK. And made it work well. Although the focus is on the Amazon, fertility, anacondas, cannibals, pharmaceutical companies and a mystery, it is SO much more! Don't let the premise keep you away!

I recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys a good story with wonderful writing! If you've enjoyed Patchett's other novels, you won't be disappointed! ...more

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Jul 07, 2011 Lynn rated it really liked it

Ann Patchett's heroine travels deep into the Amazon in search of the story of her co-worker's mysterious death while investigating a new pharmaceutical drug. Her journey touches medical ethics, personal failures, indigenous cultures, environmentalism and other issues. Patchett's writing, character development and storytelling are all up to her usual standards, making this an enjoyable read. I especially appreciated Dr. Swendsen's brass tacks and Marina's battle with her own failures and decision ...more

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May 17, 2011 Karen rated it really liked it

Ann Patchett is a wonderful writer! I had no doubt that I would love this book. The amazon comes alive, I could feel the heat, humidity, bugs and of course I got shivers just thinking about swimming in the amazon river. I still think Bel Canto is my favorite, but this is a close second.

1 like · Like · see review

May 06, 2011 Kate (kate_reads_) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This was a reread, and somehow even more stunning the second time. State of Wonder is a novel that’s sharp on first read, and devastating on the second. Knowing what’s coming doesn’t soften the impact—it deepens it.

The story follows Marina Singh, a pharmacologist sent to the Amazon to learn more about what happened to a colleague and uncover the truth about a secretive research project. But what it becomes is so much more: a study in grief, moral ambiguity, scientific ambition, and what we owe t This was a reread, and somehow even more stunning the second time. State of Wonder is a novel that’s sharp on first read, and devastating on the second. Knowing what’s coming doesn’t soften the impact—it deepens it.

The story follows Marina Singh, a pharmacologist sent to the Amazon to learn more about what happened to a colleague and uncover the truth about a secretive research project. But what it becomes is so much more: a study in grief, moral ambiguity, scientific ambition, and what we owe to each other—especially when the rules of the world stop making sense.

Ann Patchett’s writing feels timeless. This book could have been written in 1980 or yesterday and I mean that in the best way. Her prose is elegant, immersive, and deceptively simple—like soaking down into a hot tub of the world she created each time you pick it up.

She’s also brilliant at showing emotional complexity without ever overexplaining. When Karen says:

“Hope is like walking around with a fishhook in your mouth and somebody just keeps pulling it…”

—Marina’s decision to tell her the truth instead of comforting her with a lie becomes all the more painful. That tension between comfort and honesty pulses through the whole book.

This time around, I especially noticed how deftly Patchett layers in questions of science vs belief, culture vs intrusion, and personal transformation. Dr. Swenson remains one of the most fascinating and complicated characters I’ve ever read—sharp, commanding, morally infuriating, and at times completely correct.

“You can’t make a hearing boy out of a deaf boy. And you can’t turn everyone you meet into an American. Easter isn’t a souvenir.”

And the emotional unraveling near the end—when Marina sees how far she’s traveled from the life she left behind—landed even harder this time:

“There was no aligning Minnesota to Amazonia. There was no explaining one world to the other.”

This novel asks what happens when knowledge fails, when certainty slips, and when you can’t carry your old life back with you.

If you’ve read it, I’d love to talk about it. If you haven’t—just trust me and pick it up. ...more

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Jul 13, 2011 Helen rated it it was amazing

This is an amazing book..I think you won't be disappointed.
What I did want to mention is that Ann Patchett along with
Karen Hayes is opening an independent book store in Nashville, Tn.
I do hope anyone living in the area..or even close will go and
check it out! I know I sure would! ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 03, 2011 Gayla Bassham rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011-reads, tournament-of-books-2012, orange-prize-2012

The writing is lovely, and the main character is vivid and real. The character of Dr. Swenson also comes alive, although she is a bit more of a cliche--a no-nonsense battle-axe of a doctor. Many of the plot developments, though, felt either heavy-handed (Marina losing all of her possessions) or implausible (not to give anything away, but most of the last quarter of the book). This book works best when thought of as a character study; the plot doesn't hold up to examination.

Lots of Conradian echo ...more

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Jul 27, 2011 Amanda rated it liked it

I almost loved this. It ended too soon.

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May 19, 2011 Margaret rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favorites, books-on-my-kindle, 2011

Loved this! I have loved Ann Patchett ever since I read The Patron Saint of Liars when my son was a newborn (18 years ago . . .).

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May 26, 2011 Beth Knight rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-it

The book was fast-paced, full of moral and ethical dilemmas to ponder, and the story itself was interesting and enjoyable, even if I had figured out an important detail early on. I grew to care about most of the characters, who were all well-drawn for the most part.

1 like · Like · see review