State of Wonder

A Novel

By: Ann Patchett

Narrated by: Hope Davis

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times best seller

Orange Prize nominee

A Time Magazine’s Best Books of the Year

A Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Top Ten Best Books

A Wellcome Trust Book Prize nominee.

“Expect miracles when you read Ann Patchett’s fiction.” (New York Times Book Review)

Award-winning, New York Times best-selling author Ann Patchett returns with a provocative and assured novel of morality and miracles, science and sacrifice set in the Amazon rainforest.

Marina Singh is a research scientist at Vogel, a pharmaceutical institute in Minnesota, and inconveniently in love with her boss, Mr. Fox. When one of her colleagues is reported to have died while following up on the progress of a field team based in Brazil, Marina is dispatched by Mr. Fox to the Amazon to uncover the truth of his death. And his widow wants his effects.

She travels to Manaus, then down into the Amazonian delta, deep into the dense, dark, insect-infested jungle. The research team is looking into the development of a new miracle drug that could revolutionize Western society. A local tribe has the bark of a certain tree, it yields a substance which allows them to conceive late into middle age: many of the women are getting pregnant into their 60s and 70s.

The problem is that the team is taking too long: they have been silent for two years, and Marina has been tasked to find out what is holding back their progress. The second problem is more serious: the team is being headed up by the daunting figure of Annick Swenson, an eminent and fiercely uncompromising scientist who was once Marina’s colleague, and towards whom Marina has very complicated feelings. What Marina learns will change her life. In a novel that is packed with amazing twists and surprises, Ann Patchett returns with immense confidence to a broad canvas, teeming with atmosphere and characters and rich with narrative.

Remarkable events - fights with anacondas; encounters with cannibals; deaths; re-births - and profound moral decisions come together in a novel that will enthrall her many listeners and fans and is guaranteed to be a major best seller.

Infusing the narrative with the same ingenuity and emotional urgency that pervaded her acclaimed previous novels Bel Canto, Taft, Run, The Magician’s Assistant, and The Patron Saint of Liars, Patchett delivers an enthralling, innovative tale of aspiration, exploration, and attachment in State of Wonder - a gripping adventure story and a profound look at the difficult choices we make in the name of discovery and love.

©2011 Ann Patchett (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

“An expansive page-turner . . . Patchett’s fluid prose dissolves in the suspense of this out-there adventure . . . that readers will hate to see end.” (Publishers Weekly)

“An engaging, consummately told tale.” (New York Times)

“A superbly rendered novel. . . . Patchett’s portrayal is as wonderful as it is frightening and foreign. Patchett exhibits an extraordinary ability to bring the horrors and the wonders of the Amazon jungle to life, and her singular characters are wonderfully drawn. . . . Powerful and captivating.” (Library Journal, starred review)

Suspense!

Loved this book! Suspense and drama. Hope Davis was an excellent narrator. I recommend highly.

finest Audible book ever

I couldn't imagine a better story to listen to or a better actor as a reader. Such quality in both areas. I was sad for it to end, and that has not been common in my Audible experience.

Unnecessarily BORING!

This could have been a good book if not for the plethora of unnecessary descriptions. The character came across as a dim-witted dolt due largely to the unbearably slow, monotonous tone of the narrator. It seems that if a small group of people are wrestling with giant snake, there should be a bit of excitement in the narrative. Instead, the slow, soothing tones could put you right to sleep!

Have read this book now a second time.

I enjoy the art of storytelling; of being able to see, feel, hear and taste. I believe Ms. Patchett does this very, very well. I also highly recommend The Dutch House. The Magician's Assistant will now be read for the fourth time - I enjoy becoming immersed in her characters.

Great story, weak ending.

What made the experience of listening to State of Wonder the most enjoyable?

I was totally engaged in the story about dealing with the challenges of the Amazon. The tension of the scientific break-through made it intriguing, and the characters were also interesting. As is often the case, the ending left me unsatisfied.

What does Hope Davis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Hope Davis brings out the personalities of the characters better than just reading the written word.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not laugh or cry, but the the details about the creatures in the jungle were riveting.

I loved it from beginning to end.

A wonderful tale that feels familar yet foreign. This book got into my dreams at night.

Ann Patchett is a genius!!

Loved it. Most unusual. Excellent narrator. Ann Patchett is a genius! I recommend highly. Review required one more word .....

Fantastic Book, Patchett's best yet

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Ann Patchett has written a lot of great books, but this one shows off her ability to turn a classic story on it's head. Patchett's feminist version of what it means to

Who was your favorite character and why?

Annik Swenson

What about Hope Davis???s performance did you like?

Davis' performance enhances what was already a good book, her emotional reading helped me forget I wasn't there myself.

If you could rename State of Wonder, what would you call it?

The name is good: A really nice play on

Any additional comments?

I you like Patchett, you will love this.

Interesting Story - not so interesting characters

I found the main character highly annoying and ridiculously naive. The plot was based around an interesting concept that wasn't fleshed out as well as it couldve been. It was hard to like any of the charcaters. The narrator's voice was so-so. Took some getting used to.

Loved the book, loved the reader!

Any additional comments?

I listened to this every day on my commute to work. I found it hard to leave the engrossing saga and go to work and I couldn't wait to get back in the car to hear more. The balance of the story was wonderful. The consequences of loss and gain sober and uplifting.