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)

Wonderful book

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

I would entusiastically recommend this book to a friend. I found it to be wonderfully written and equally wonderfully performed by Hope Davis. This is one of those books that I could see listening to over and over again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of State of Wonder?

I don't wish to spoil the book by giving away crucial details, but there is a very heartwarming scene at the end of the book that ties it all together. I also loved the imagery portrayed by the author. I almost felt as if I could reach through the pages and be there in Amazonia.

What about Hope Davis’s performance did you like?

I felt Hope Davis did a marvelous job performing this book and I loved the voices she gave to the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were parts of this book that moved me deeply. Again, I don't want to pinpoint them because they would reveal elements of the plot,but suffice to say I think other listeners would also be affected by this book.

Love Ann Patchett

I'm never disappointed by this author, and this is no exception. Great story, I couldn't stop listening!

Exciting exploration into the Amazon

You feel you are there with the charactera ao vividly and colorfully porteayed. Good story!

Prepare to enter your own stae of wonder

My book club is a fairly diverse collection of people ranging in age from 35 to 69 and preppy to reformed hippie. Without a doubt this book struck a chord with all of us.... the plot takes you to a place that you just don't expect. I enjoyed this story much more than I did Bel Canto. The characters develop throughout the book and you begin to care about even the least likeable of them.
Half of my group listened to the book. They agreed with me that the narrator was great. The audible version allowed me to immerse myself even deeper into the strange jungle land of the story. I enjoy listening to books that contain scientific and medical terms without worrying about how to pronounce them.

Sad to see it end!

Would you consider the audio edition of State of Wonder to be better than the print version?

I loved listening to this book because of the different accents.

Which scene was your favorite?

When many truths were revealed it was so fascinating and in some ways unexpected.

Any additional comments?

This was one of the best books I have ever listened to. I was indeed sad when it ended. Patchett's writing is so detailed and the characters and plot are interwoven but yet, easy to follow. The character development was exceptional. I would love to see a part two of this particular story.

Moving and compelling story, well read

I half read, half listened to this book on my iPod (Hope Davis is lovely as narrator). I got teary at the ending, even though I had peaked ahead and knew the novel's final secrets. Getting there was a thrilling ride, with well developed characters and a plausible if not always believable plot. Dr. Swensen is a formidable presence, and Marina is her match. Still hearing pieces of Ms. Davis' narration in my head several days later.

Wonder why....

Would you try another book from Ann Patchett and/or Hope Davis?

I wonder why I did not enjoy this Ann Patchett book as much as Bel Canto? Bel Canto is a tough act to follow, as it is one of my favorites in recent years. I will likely try another Patchett title, but I would not seek out Hope Davis as a narrator.

If you’ve listened to books by Ann Patchett before, how does this one compare?

This is the first Patchett book that I've listened to; the others I've read as paperbacks.

What three words best describe Hope Davis’s voice?

I only have one word: Monotone.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

This is a great book!

This is a great book! It was very real and yet had many unexpected twists and turns.

State of Wonder Review

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

Yes, the story was engaging, interesting, and out of the ordinary.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Easter was my favorite. He stood out as exceptional in a cast of extremely exceptional individuals.

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

I could listen in the car. I do not care for the way she pronounced Marina's name. For the first five chapters, I thought she was saying Moraina, then I looked it up and was annoyed for the rest of the book everytime I heard her read Moraina. Where was the director or editor?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Easter survived the attack from the anaconda.

Thougth Provoking on so many levels!

Where does State of Wonder rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best audiobooks I have listened to so far. It was a little slow at first, but after the third chapter I couldn't stop listening. It makes one ponder so many ethical issues.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dr. Annik Swenson was my favorite character due to her brutal honesty and open ambition and drive.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Narration was very good.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A journey of self discovery and learning what is important in life.

Any additional comments?

Do yourself a favor and listen to this book.