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)

Review of State of Wonder

This was an excellent audiobook. It caught my attention from the very beginning! It was full of so interesting facts anf stories. I loved it.

I would recommend it to my friends!!

Oh No! It can't be over yet.

If you could sum up State of Wonder in three words, what would they be?

Wonderful and Entertaining!

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

I wouldn't rename it.

Any additional comments?

This is such a wonderfully written and narrated story. I really hate that it is over and do hope that Ms. Patchett will continue in another book and that Hope Davis will perform it.

One of my absolute faves!

This book had received a lot of great reviews, so I figured the book couldn't be too bad... and I'm so glad I followed my instinct. This has been one of my favorite books!! I didn't expect to feel this strongly about a book, but I feel like it was so well written without being over the top the descriptive, that I had to share. I've had experiences with books that feel like they they go on and on "describing" things just to fill pages. The way State Of Wonder described things made you understand EXACTLY what the author was saying. There were parts where I became emotional from it all... Anyway, get this book. You won't regret it.

o the humanity

I already loved Ann Patchett and expected quite a bit from this novel. I was not disappointed. Engaging from the beginning and lavish with evocative prose, this book was a treat to read and I was sad when it ended. It is filled with multidimensional characters, a journey, a jungle, a remembered Minnesota, and I was struck in particular with how effectively Patchett illustrated Dr. Swenson's commanding presence. Now I need to re-read Heart of Darkness...

A wonderful change from my usual reads

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

I generally listen primarily to mysteries and thrillers. This is the first book written by Ann Patchett (now I have listened to three) that I have listened to. Not only is her plot compelling, but her description of the environments are delightful, bringing alive the world in whih the story was written. A state of wonder takes place in the jungle, Ms. Patchett brings alive not only a moving story, but the lush environment, the smells, sights and sounds that bring this book so very much alive. Her story is not only wonderful and moving, but so is the land and the people that live there takes place. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a book that will soon become a new favorite. Ihave since read the Magicians Assistant and most recently, the Patron Saint of Liars.

Any additional comments?

This is my first review

OK I see what all the fuss is about!

I must have come across this book and its reviews 20 times and it just didn’t look interesting to me. Even the sample listen didn’t get me going. Then one night when there wasn’t a fricken thing on TV I went for it and I so glad I did!

The story line is excellent and it really takes you on a journey. Hope Davis did a wonderful reading. I did think the first part of the book was a little dry but it picked up. I was worried it might get into a lot of medical terms but there was just enough. The characters were well developed and very interesting. I loved the whole jungle part and I thought the ending was fantastic!

This is my first Ann Patchett book…… but it won’t be my last!

Not Bel Canto

Bel Canto is one of my all time favorite books, and as such, I have been hesitant to read another book by Ann Patchett for fear it couldn't match Bel Canto. While I am not certain from where the title comes--probably just the drug aspect--this didn't meet Bel Canto for me. While this story is interesting and certainly worth the listen, Bel Canto was a simple story with unusual interpersonal relationships that made a great novel. State of Wonder relies more on story-line. Those who prefer a good story may like this book better.

Enthralling Story!

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

The story is suburb and keeps you on the seat of your pants—in parts. After you drudge through the first part (1 hour?) the story picks up and is entertaining. This mystery involves the jungle as a character and weaves a tantalizing story of discovery. Parts drag and are forgettable, but the main story was worth the listen.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Marina had to aid a woman in giving birth even though she doubted herself.

Surprisingly Good

I didn't have high expectations when I purchased this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was very good.

Wonderful Story

This was a wonderful story. The story was fantastic and it was a page turner. The description of the Amazon was perfect.