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)

Ann Patchett is a Wonder

I had a hard time getting hooked- but then I usually have a hard time getting hooked. The Magician’s Assistant, The Dutch House. She doesn’t make it easy; I have a suspicion that’s on purpose though she might articulate it differently. One has to pay attention, make a commitment. Ann Patchett doesn’t pander, spoon feed or talk down to her reader (or listener). But then every time I find myself sooner than later immersed in whatever story inside it one of the characters or a fly on the wall not overhead though never exterior always inside I believe because she is so meticulous so uncompromising in her observation and description one cannot help but see the person the room, house, jungle. I feel the overpowering humidity and heat, bitter cold of the upper Midwest. She reports being a very hard worker but one without the set time place and schedule I see it all I see that she loves to write she loves to make up stories they must come from her brain like lumps of clay I picture her reading up on visiting studying the Amazon the world of glamour Magic, history of the legendary house. Unspooling a story must require research and study; her sculptors tools, potters wheel, scientists microscope. The detail is astounding and captivating. She’s a wonderful writer.
And Tom Hanks is by far the best audiobook narrator I have ever ever heard tell a story. God knows he doesn’t need the money - he should go on doing it simply as a public service.

I loved the characters!

I loved the story. The characters were well developed. I learned something about life in the Amazon.

the characters

I loved the characters. The author has a great imagination. We're currently reading it as part of our book club.

perfect narration

This book was extremely well narrated. The story was quite good-- I enjoyed the evolution of Marina, the main character. This is the 2nd Ann Patchett novel I have read-- the first one being Belle Canto. I enjoy her rather ethereal way of writing and it translates well to an audible version.

Rivetting

Ann Patchett's writing is masterful. She is descriptive and original in the way she sees the world, and she has an understanding of character that gives the novel great depth. In addition, though I never cared a fig to read about the Amazon, she has made me appreciate that environment and makes me believe she understands the effect it would have upon the people who inhabit it. I don't know how much research goes into her ability to make the setting such an effective element in the book, but whether she really has traveled there or not, she seems like she has first hand knowledge. The plot itself carried me along. At a certain point, I just could not stop listening.

What a Wonder

I wasn't sure what to expect from this story. It was one that I thought might be worth reading. It was amazing. The characters are strong, the story has mystery and interest and kept me from first to finish. Worth your time and credit. Great narration as well.

Good Story That Gives Rise to Thinking

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

About in the middle

What did you like best about this story?

finding out the details, not just of Anders but of everything

Which scene was your favorite?

When Marena did the c-section in the hut and then on Dr Swenson

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I could do that I likely would have but I'm content to listen as I can.

Any additional comments?

The story was nicely written and read. It was intriguing, slightly suspenseful but filled with questions and answers throughout. I enjoyed the fierce loyalties shown by the main characters to thier job or friends/family.

Did Not Want to End

I just wanted to go on reading/listening to this book forever. Descriptions were fascinating. Characters were somewhat quirky and extreme, but that is what makes a story interesting. Loved it! I have enjoyed all that I have read of Ann Patchett and recommend them as "safe" purchases for someone who enjoys good literature.

Amazing!!!

Wow this book is incredible!! I love books like this that have so much detail and layers to it!! I couldn't wait every night to sit and listen to this amazing book!

Ann Patchett AND Hope Davis? Sign me up.

Any additional comments?
State of Wonder left me more determined to know and to love my family, and my friends.