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)

wow

What did you love best about State of Wonder?

the story capured you from the first sentance to the last word

Have you listened to any of Hope Davis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

the narrator take you on the journey of a lifetime

Who was the most memorable character of State of Wonder and why?

easter will haunt me and never be forgotten

Any additional comments?

absolutly fantastic story

Great Listen!

Would you listen to State of Wonder again? Why?

I don't listen to books more than once.

What did you like best about this story?

The setting and feelings of the main character were well described and felt very real.

Which scene was your favorite?

The snake scene.

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

The ending made me cry.

Any additional comments?

Very entertaining and very well read.

Original Story

This book was good from the very start. The story is very orignal. The narator does a fantastic job. The end of the book leaves a few questions unanswered.

Interesting story and an Enjoyable listen

Anne Panchett's story, word choice, and exploration of the human character was both relaxing listen to and an exhilarating adventure. I found myself looking forward to our time time together each day and was sorry when it ended. Neither the story or the characters felt cliche, indeed I found both original, refreshing, and somehow true to the reality of life.

Wonder-full

Ann Patchett is a remarkable storyteller -- this book is fabulous! She paints a vivid picture of the location and the people . . . she story is thought-provoking and inspiriing.

Loved this book

What did you love best about State of Wonder?

The adventure opened up as did the jungle exploration by the protagonist.

What did you like best about this story?

Beautiful development of character and a primeval setting. What could be better.

Which character – as performed by Hope Davis – was your favorite?

Excellent reader. Sounded like Ann Patchett herself.

I was in AW at the STATE OF WONDER!

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

This is one of the best books so far!

What did you like best about this story?

The story kept me interested with great characters from page 1 on.

Which character – as performed by Hope Davis – was your favorite?

My favorite character is the 70+ year old pregnant Doctor!

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

In a remote part of Brazil scientists study female fertility with surprising results.

Any additional comments?

Enjoyable, especially for female readers

Not My Normal Genre

I normally gravitate towards more murder mystery/legal thriller type novels for my "mind candy" but decided to venture out a bit with State of Wonder. I was not disappointed. I found this listen engaging and entertaining. I looked forward to my run so I could listen to this beautifully written story.

The reason for the 3 stars, vs. 4 or 5 was due to the ending. I found the ending a bit forced (rushed, maybe?) and didn't think it really fit with the voice of the remainder of the book. I was left feeling a little off. All in all, though, I really enjoyed Patchett's writing style and Davis's narration.

Half and half

I almost stopped listening to this halfway though because I didn't like a single character except the driver. He showed up just in time. Another problem was that Dr. Swenson reminds me of someone I'd rather not be reminded of. My conclusion is that perhaps the first half of the book drags on a bit. The exposition continues for a couple hours. I understand that the protagonist is also frustrated with how long her task is taking to develop, but I don't think the reader has to suffer the same in order to sympathize. The important information could have been shown in fewer pages without losing integrity. I'm not sure the dynamic between Mr. Fox and Marina serves enough purpose to deserve so many pages. I thought the visit to the opera was little contrived and had me close to actually hating Dr. Swenson. When Marina finally gets to meet the fabulous Dr. Swenson things start to pick up, though mostly because of the delightful Easter - an adolescent boy who lives in the village. Yes, the science is a little out there, but that didn't bother me. There is so much about the rainforest we don't know that I still found it entertaining. I thought the continual re-visit to the "visit to Hell" theme was overdone, more told than shown. In the end, I would say the descriptions of the rainforest and Marina's experience there make the book worth listening to. It did not leave me with the sense of hope that Bel Canto gave me years ago, which was what I was hoping for. It is quite possible I would have liked this better if I had not had that expectation.

A Surprising Gem

What did you love best about State of Wonder?

It was tragic, but really beautiful.

What other book might you compare State of Wonder to and why?

I can't think of any similar books...maybe this is a current Heart of Darkness? (Though I enjoyed this book considerably more than Joseph Conrad's.)

Have you listened to any of Hope Davis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first Hope Davis narration.

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

I cried several times while reading this book.

Any additional comments?

Honestly, I purchased this book because it was in one of Audible's sales. I'm so very glad I did. I was drawn in from the very beginning and found the story surprisingly captivating.