BOOK DISCUSSION: State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
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1mrstreme
Count me in as an Ann Patchett fan, though I think State of Wonder wasn't her best work. It's still a good book. Here's my review:
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Dr. Marina Singh was safely nestled in her lab at Vogel Pharmaceuticals, when her CEO (and secret lover) announced tragic news: Her colleague, Anders Eckman, had died on assignment in the Amazon jungle. In a few short days, Marina would find herself in Brazil to resume where Anders had left off - to discover what the brilliant but elusive Dr. Annick Swenson was up to in the jungle (on Vogel's dime). Marina also had a personal mission: to find out what happened to her friend.
To complicate the story, Dr. Swenson and Marina shared a past. The elder physician was Marina's professor in medical school, and as the story progressed, we learned why Marina went from a future obstetrician to a pharmacologist. Marina hoped Dr. Swenson wouldn't remember her from their days together at Johns Hopkins, but just the presence of Dr. Swenson made Marina relive her past - and her mistakes.
State of Wonder is a delightful story of self-discovery. Marina goes from a Ph.D. in a lab to a physician in the jungle. She faced her fears and learned things that few would be able to know. Most importantly, Marina learned more about herself.
Patchett's depiction of the characters in this book was exquisite. Marina was an easy heroine to root for, and Dr. Swenson, despite her acerbic ways, grew on you. Even the minor characters shined under Patchett's pen. My favorite was Easter - a deaf boy who lived in the tribe where Dr. Swenson studied and became a surrogate son to many of the Vogel employees who came to the camp.
State of Wonder does force its readers to suspend many levels of disbelief, though. Admittedly, I had a hard time accepting some of the events that occurred in the story: Marina trampling around the jungle with only flip flops on her feet; an incredible fight with an anaconda; pregnant 70-year-old women, and psychedelic blue mushrooms and fertility-enducing tree bark that were consumed by the natives. Too much? Maybe, but the story moved me right along, and I didn't cast too much of a second glance at these hard-to-believe details.
In the end, Ann Patchett once again delighted her fans- and probably earn some new fans along the way. State of Wonder is an excellent voyage for readers who love when characters learn about themselves - and come out at the end with more trust, courage and self-happiness.
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Dr. Marina Singh was safely nestled in her lab at Vogel Pharmaceuticals, when her CEO (and secret lover) announced tragic news: Her colleague, Anders Eckman, had died on assignment in the Amazon jungle. In a few short days, Marina would find herself in Brazil to resume where Anders had left off - to discover what the brilliant but elusive Dr. Annick Swenson was up to in the jungle (on Vogel's dime). Marina also had a personal mission: to find out what happened to her friend.
To complicate the story, Dr. Swenson and Marina shared a past. The elder physician was Marina's professor in medical school, and as the story progressed, we learned why Marina went from a future obstetrician to a pharmacologist. Marina hoped Dr. Swenson wouldn't remember her from their days together at Johns Hopkins, but just the presence of Dr. Swenson made Marina relive her past - and her mistakes.
State of Wonder is a delightful story of self-discovery. Marina goes from a Ph.D. in a lab to a physician in the jungle. She faced her fears and learned things that few would be able to know. Most importantly, Marina learned more about herself.
Patchett's depiction of the characters in this book was exquisite. Marina was an easy heroine to root for, and Dr. Swenson, despite her acerbic ways, grew on you. Even the minor characters shined under Patchett's pen. My favorite was Easter - a deaf boy who lived in the tribe where Dr. Swenson studied and became a surrogate son to many of the Vogel employees who came to the camp.
State of Wonder does force its readers to suspend many levels of disbelief, though. Admittedly, I had a hard time accepting some of the events that occurred in the story: Marina trampling around the jungle with only flip flops on her feet; an incredible fight with an anaconda; pregnant 70-year-old women, and psychedelic blue mushrooms and fertility-enducing tree bark that were consumed by the natives. Too much? Maybe, but the story moved me right along, and I didn't cast too much of a second glance at these hard-to-believe details.
In the end, Ann Patchett once again delighted her fans- and probably earn some new fans along the way. State of Wonder is an excellent voyage for readers who love when characters learn about themselves - and come out at the end with more trust, courage and self-happiness.
2Soupdragon
I think we had similar feelings about State of Wonder, Jill. Here's my review.
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42 year old Dr Marina Singh is working for the Vogel pharmaceutical company when she hears of the death of her colleague, Anders Eckman. Anders has died in the Amazon Rainforest on work-related business, having been sent by the company to track down elusive Dr Annick Swanson who is researching a fertility drug there and has avoided communications for several years. When Anders' widow begs her to find out more about the death and Vogel chief exec, Mr Fox (with whom Marina has recently begun a relationship) asks her to seek out Dr Swenson, she feels she has no choice but to go.
This was never going to be a straight forward journey but Marina has issues from her past which complicate things further. Anti-malaria drugs bring back dreams and memories of a mostly absent father. Marina's self-esteen took a fall some years ago due to an incident as a student doctor which Swenson was connected with. At the time, Dr Swenson was an idolised and (even then) remote, senior tutor.
I've seen a lot of reviews for this book which have criticised the far-fetched storyline around the substance in the rainforest which extends fertility. This didn't bother me but I would say that the book is worth some conscious suspension of disbelief at that part, because of everything else it has to offer.
State of Wonder is multi-layered and much more than just an adventurous romp through the jungle. Patchett's writing appears effortless and fluid. She has created characters that are fascinating and believable. Marina really got under my skin and I loved watching her development through the book. There is something Jungian about the way symbols and dreams re-occur and eventually lead to resolution and self-acceptance. Marina does not always enjoy her time in the jungle and is never entirely comfortable there but eventually learns something about herself and arrives home a different person.
It is also a book which asks questions about the relationship of large pharmaceutical companies with developing countries and the ethics of how these companies operate.
To sum up, I found this a psychologically interesting, thought provoking, beautifully told, page turning, good read with wonderful characterisation- and you don't often get all that in one book. But also be prepared for some unlikely science!
###
42 year old Dr Marina Singh is working for the Vogel pharmaceutical company when she hears of the death of her colleague, Anders Eckman. Anders has died in the Amazon Rainforest on work-related business, having been sent by the company to track down elusive Dr Annick Swanson who is researching a fertility drug there and has avoided communications for several years. When Anders' widow begs her to find out more about the death and Vogel chief exec, Mr Fox (with whom Marina has recently begun a relationship) asks her to seek out Dr Swenson, she feels she has no choice but to go.
This was never going to be a straight forward journey but Marina has issues from her past which complicate things further. Anti-malaria drugs bring back dreams and memories of a mostly absent father. Marina's self-esteen took a fall some years ago due to an incident as a student doctor which Swenson was connected with. At the time, Dr Swenson was an idolised and (even then) remote, senior tutor.
I've seen a lot of reviews for this book which have criticised the far-fetched storyline around the substance in the rainforest which extends fertility. This didn't bother me but I would say that the book is worth some conscious suspension of disbelief at that part, because of everything else it has to offer.
State of Wonder is multi-layered and much more than just an adventurous romp through the jungle. Patchett's writing appears effortless and fluid. She has created characters that are fascinating and believable. Marina really got under my skin and I loved watching her development through the book. There is something Jungian about the way symbols and dreams re-occur and eventually lead to resolution and self-acceptance. Marina does not always enjoy her time in the jungle and is never entirely comfortable there but eventually learns something about herself and arrives home a different person.
It is also a book which asks questions about the relationship of large pharmaceutical companies with developing countries and the ethics of how these companies operate.
To sum up, I found this a psychologically interesting, thought provoking, beautifully told, page turning, good read with wonderful characterisation- and you don't often get all that in one book. But also be prepared for some unlikely science!
4Soupdragon
3: Really don't know, Jill! It's the only shortlister I've read so whilst I enjoyed it hugely, I can't compare it with its competition. It doesn't seem as widely popular as say, The Song of Achilles. Still, it's what the judges think that counts and Joanna Trollope obviously loves it as there's a glowing Sunday Telegraph review by her on the back of my edition!
I was wondering whether to start a spoiler thread for this book as Bonnie and I have just exchanged PMs re. certain events at the end of the book.
I was wondering whether to start a spoiler thread for this book as Bonnie and I have just exchanged PMs re. certain events at the end of the book.
5kidzdoc
I'm halfway through State of Wonder now, and I'm enjoying it so far. I doubt that I'll ultimately rank it higher on the shortlist than The Song of Achilles, though.
I'd be interested in participating in a spoiler thread. I'll almost certainly finish it today.
I'd be interested in participating in a spoiler thread. I'll almost certainly finish it today.
6Soupdragon
I have started a spoiler thread here.
81morechapter
I watched the video chat and it seems she was inspired by The Ambassadors for this novel. Wow, that's two on the shortlist that point to this book. I guess I'll have to read it sometime this year.
9nomadreader
I was surprised to hear her mention Ambassadors too! I also loved what she said about indirect inspiration too. I just adore her. Many of her answers to fan questions were covered in The Getaway Car, and I wish readers more familiar with her work would have asked more questions!
