Monday, May 21, 2012

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (includes international giveaway)

Dr Marina Singh was studying to be a doctor. After a terrible incident, she gives up that course of study and instead becomes a pharmacologist, studying cholesterol. She works for a drug company, is involved in an secret affair but other than that we don't know a lot about her. If I was to use one word only to describe her I would say that she was repressed.

She normally works closely with her lab mate, Dr Anders Eckman, but months ago he had been sent to the jungles of the Amazon to try and track down the woman who was previously Marina's lecturer, Dr Annick Swenson. Dr Swenson is in the Amazon working on developing a lucrative new medication but she is something of a maverick. She won't respond to requests for updates on where she is up to with her research and so the company have sent Dr Eckman to find out exactly how her research is going and more importantly when this drug will be ready for testing.

When they receive notification that Dr Eckman has died and been buried in Brazil, his widow wants to know more about the circumstances. Her employer still wants to know about the research project and so Marina is sent south to find out more..

In terms of setting, there are three distinct sections in this book. The first part of the book is set in Minnesota and in this world Marina is very controlled in almost every way. The first stop on her journey to the Amazon is Manaus in Brazil where she spends several weeks whilst she waits for the appearance of the mysterious Dr Swenson. Whilst there she spends time with an Australian couple, the Bovenders, who run interference for Dr Swenson, trying to stop anyone from finding where she is, what she is doing and from generally disturbing her in any way. Finally, she makes it to the research station in the jungle on the banks of a tributary of the Amazon where there are many surprises in store.

Whilst Marina undertakes a physical journey, it is more the philosophical and emotional journey that forms the core of this book. She loses her luggage more than once, and each time she becomes less reliant on her westernness and in effect ends up stripped back to her bare soul.

The research that is being undertaken is perceived  to be leading to a wonder infertility drug. The women of the tribe are able to sustain healthy pregnancies well into their seventies, but there is more happening at the station than just that research and the scientists working there are doing their best to keep the other research secret until the time is right. There is discussion of the moral and ethical responsibilities related to medical research and about bringing Western ways to the remote tribes but I never found those elements to be too dry or inaccessible.

I don't want to say too much more because part of the beauty of this book is watching the story unfold.

What a surprise this book was! I had only listened to one Ann Patchett book previously (Bel Canto) and I really didn't like it. I am not sure if it would have been different if I had of actually read the book, but I thought it was slow and a bit pointless.

So why did I volunteer for this book tour then? When this book first came out, I heard Ann Patchett on several podcasts that I listen to and each time I heard her I became more and more interested in the book. Then she was one of the big name guests to appear at last year's Melbourne Writer's Festival and I went to hear her talk. She is so good in a crowded room - funny and charming, engaging and passionate about writing and books.  It was a case where despite not liking the only book I had read from the author, I liked the author and so I was prepared to give her another go. I am so glad that I did.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it much more of a page turner than I was expecting it to be. The topics discussed were interesting without feeling overwhelmed with the scientific details. There was adventure and drama - a particularly gruesome scene with a snake had my heart racing - and whilst a lot of the characters were not people I would particularly like if I met them, there is a young deaf boy named Easter who has made his home in a little corner of my heart. I enjoyed reading the way the author bought a group of individuals together to form a small community in an isolated place.

If there is a weakness in the book, it was the ending which didn't totally work for me, and I know that there are lots of other reviews out there which talk about the ending being a let down and this was one of the big issues I had when I listened to Bel Canto. I enjoyed the journey so much though, that I can live with the ending, mainly because I am not sure how else the story could have been all wrapped up. We are left not knowing where Marina goes next in her life, but that is okay because I was left feeling that she knew a lot more about herself at the end of the book than she did in the beginning.

I was so pleasantly surprised by how much of a page turner I found this book. Am I brave enough to try other Ann Patchett books? Maybe in due course, but for the time being I want to savour this reading experience.

4.5/5

Synopsis


In a narrative replete with poison arrows, devouring snakes, scientific miracles, and spiritual transformations, State of Wonder presents a world of stunning surprise and danger, rich in emotional resonance and moral complexity.

As Dr. Marina Singh embarks upon an uncertain odyssey into the insect-infested Amazon, she will be forced to surrender herself to the lush but forbidding world that awaits within the jungle. Charged with finding her former mentor Dr. Annick Swenson, a researcher who has disappeared while working on a valuable new drug, she will have to confront her own memories of tragedy and sacrifice as she journeys into the unforgiving heart of darkness. Stirring and luminous, State of Wonder is a world unto itself, where unlikely beauty stands beside unimaginable loss beneath the rain forest’s jeweled canopy.

Tour and giveaway details


See what other participants on this blog tour thought of this book by following the tour

Tour schedule 
Ann Patchett's website 

I am very excited to offer up a in international giveaway of the paperback of this book! To enter, leave a comment including your email address.

Giveaway closes 28 May 2012

31 comments:

  1. The ending is what didn't work for this book for me either - much like the other novel of her's I've read, Bel Canto. I really enjoyed the journey but then there's this weird ending that kind of lowers the rating for me!

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    1. Bel Canto definitely had an odd ending

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  2. I'm a Patchett fan, although my favorite book my her is actually a memoir (Truth & Beauty) about her and a writer friend. I would love to read this one! Great review--

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    1. She talked a bit about that book when she spoke at Melbourne Writers Festival.

      I am thinking that will be the next Patchett book I read.

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  3. I really enjoyed Bel Canto but agree that the ending was a let-down. As was this one. Well, maybe "let down" isn't the right word but I found it convenient and also unbelievable (I'm sure you can guess which parts I'm referring to). I'm glad you ended up really enjoying this one. That Dr. Swenson was quite the character, huh?

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    1. I can guess exactly which bit you are talking about! lol

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  4. I really liked Bel Canto and I think I would enjoy this one as well. Thanks for the giveaway!

    annesbookgarden@gmail.com

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  5. This book sounds really interesting and I enjoyed your review of it. I love books that take place in the Amazon as it is such a wondrous place. Will look forward to seeing if you do read another of her books. I will have to give her a try. I have not read her before. Pam
    psbparks at ymail dot com

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  6. Thanks for your thorough review. I have to say I'm in the camp of those who lover the way she ends her books - I actually reviewed Bel Canto and State of Wonder at the same time, and enjoyed both very much: http://wordsandpeace.com/2011/07/05/bell-canto-and-state-of-wonder/
    funny that TLC goofed and wrote on their schedule: Adventures of an Intrepid Leader!!
    I would love to win this book to give to a friend. thanks!
    Emma @ Words And Peace
    ehc16e at yahoo dot com

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    1. I did notice that typo and it did amuse me too!

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  7. I have had this book wishlisted for some time. Thank you for the opportunity to enter.

    freda.mans[at]gmail.com

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  8. I've never read this author but would like to. Thanks for the offer.
    bethvollbach(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  9. I have been wanting to read this one -- she is a beautiful writer, even if the ending could have been stronger. No need to enter me (I have a copy).

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  10. My Book Group is planning on reading this, so it would be great to win it!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladybook21 at yahoo dot com

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  11. I would love to win this book, it sounds really interesting.

    mclean132@btinternet.com

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  12. My sister really likes Ann Patchett, but I've never read her before. I hear she's famous for the twists she puts at the ends of all her books. I have Bel Canto on my shelf, and will probably read it eventually :-)

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  13. I loved this book, and have to agree with Aarti's comment that she puts a twist at the end of every book. It took awhile for me to find this one, as I can be a bit slow at some things, but when I got it, I was really overwhelmed by her slyness. Great review today, Marg. I am so glad that you loved this one like I did!

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  14. Oh! I'd love to win this book! Out of the Orange Prize long-listed books only The Sealed Letter and The Night Circus are available in Sri Lanka! And non of the short-listed books are in our bookstores yet! So I'm going to keep my fingers crossed! ;)

    Thank you so much for hosting the giveaway!
    nirmalachandrasiri@yahoo.com

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  15. Glad you liked this book. So did I and a friend who is an Ann Patchett fan and a retired midwife, liked it as well.

    I did have trouble with the ending, no so much about Marina, but about another likeable character, whose destiny is left in question. The moral issues around the child concerned me more than anything else. Do people "own" others, even children? Do children have a right to decide what they want? Is an Indigenous child less important than a scientist? Lots of moral questions here, which I'm sure the author deliberately posed for the readers.

    I enjoyed this book and the ambitious doctor, too.

    I'm going to read Bel Canto and other books by this author.

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  16. State of Wonder looks like an amazing book! Thank-you for the giveaway and your review.

    Laura Kay
    anovelreview(@)yahoo(.)com

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  17. I've heard good things about Patchett, but never read her myself. The elements of this story are interesting to me and glad to see this book did not disappoint. Glad you gave Patchett another chance. Excellent review Marg.

    (Not an entry)

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  18. I am glad to see you enjoyed this. I haven't had great luck with her books myself, but have been considering this one.

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  19. This one has been a on my TBR list a while, I'd like to win a copy, thanks for the contest

    Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out

    bookd.out at gmail dot com

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  20. I have been hearing mixed reviews about this book, and I glad to hear about the positives. Ann Patchet is one of those authors people either love or don't get at all. I do hope to be able to read this soon.

    twistingthelens@gmail.com

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  21. I think I want to read the book, especially about the "moral and ethical responsibilities" of the research, but that gruesome snake scene has me wondering. Well, you liked it, so I'll probably get through that scene okay. LOL.

    Bonnie @ Bonnie's Books
    emerging DOT paradigm AT yahoo DOT com

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  22. Would love to win a copy of this as I really enjoyed Bel Canto.

    harvee44@yahoo.com

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  23. Listening to an author speak always makes me want to read his or her books ... it's rather dangerous to my wallet to attend author talks!

    I'm glad you took a chance on this even though you hadn't enjoyed her previous book. Thanks for being on the tour!

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    1. If I know I am going to an author talk I pretty much budget that I will be buying books. It's a given.

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  24. I have only read Bel Canto so I'd love a chance to get into this one. Love your review, Marg.

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  25. I know what you mean by 'being brave enough' to read another title once you've enjoyed something from the author so much. I've read mixed reviews about this one, so really glad to hear you enjoyed it. When I first read the synopsis sometime ago it went straight on my wishlist but I am yet to purchase so would love to enter your giveaway - thanks!

    bookwordlover@gmail.com

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  26. I was also surprised at what a page turned State of Wonder was (my thoughts:http://manoflabook.com/wp/?p=5355), even though it is slow to build up.

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