State of Wonder: A Novel Audiobook

" The book was engaging but fell apart at the end. Just too many strings tied up with unbelievable scenarios. "

" This was such a good book and I would've given it 5-stars had it not been for the ending, which was a bit disappointing to me. Definitely still worth the read though. "

" IN an age of cell phones, ubiquitous GPS devices, computers of every size and shape we have here a novel that opens with an aerogram letter reporting the mysterious death in the jungles of Brazil of a scientist employed by a pharmaceutical company of presumably substantial size. This event left me as the reader of a story about employees of a global enterprise in the twenty-first century in a state of wonder that strained my credulity. The ensuing story tells of a search, by another research scientist, Marina Singh, who at the request of the President of the company goes to the jungle of Brazil, somewhere beyond Manaus, to find out the details of the death of the scientist, Dr. Anders Eckman, and also report on the status of a mysterious research project led by Marina's one-time teacher, Dr. Annick Swenson, who has been in the jungle for decades purportedly looking for a miraculous drug. The journey of Marina and its outcome comprise the majority of this sometimes tedious and often improbable novel. She is sent on her journey by Mr. Fox, the CEO of the pharmaceutical company, who is something of a cypher. The best aspect of the novel is the ease in reading the prose which allowed me to read it quickly, for I did not want to linger in the omnipresent heat of the Amazonian jungle, with its insects, spiders, bats, snakes, and poisonous plants, for any longer than necessary. Marina often, practically every night, escaped into a dream world that was often nightmarish and may have helped her bear the difficult environment. Her dreams and her personal psychological issues, while making her a more sympathetic character, added to my wonder at her willingness to stay with Dr. Swenson. The story is reminiscent of Conrad's Heart of Darkness in outline only, for it has none of the depth of philosophic or moral emphasis found in that book. Here we have in Dr. Swenson merely a nasty person ruling over her jungle fiefdom with an iron fist. I was hoping that my experience reading State of Wonder would be better than that I had reading Patchett's earlier creation Bel Canto; but I my hope did not bear fruition leaving me in a state of wonder where other readers find the enjoyment in her novels. "

" The plot just did not keep my attention. "

" Amazing. Could not put it down. Fast moving. "

" Very interesting; well written. A woman scientist goes to the amazon to find the dead body of her friend and lives with a community of women who are very fertile even into old age because they eat the bark of a special tree. "

" Well-written, but the pace is quite slow. I was expecting to be riveted the whole time and that was not the case. The story is interesting, just keep your expectations low regarding the amount of action in the plot. "

" Couldn't make it through Bel Canto, but really liked this book. "

" Couldn't stop listening. Compelling writing . But I ultimate ly felt cheated. Still think het best book was Thw Magician'sWife. "

" Interesting characters and story line, but it left me feeling like parts were put in to make the reader a bit disoriented, though maybe this is part of the author's purpose. "

" What a fascinating tale of a woman, a mysterious primitive place, medicine, intrigue, love, and loyalty!! "

" A good read and something new if you liked Bel Canto (Patchett's other book). "

" I agree it was a bit slow going to start. I enjoyed the story although I think I've come across a similar story in my past . The author seemed to end this book as if a sequel is to come. "

" I didn't love this book but I liked it enough. "

" A waste of a tree. And ink. "

" I sorta felt like I wasn't 'getting' it. Like a bad poem. Are you not getting it or is it just not that deep? "

" Not her best work: lots of threads that were brought up then dropped or unnecessary plot lines. "

" Unexpected ending! Great imagery of the Amazon. "

" 2.5 stars. Very slow start, some interesting character development, and then several very exciting plot twists. Ultimately unbelievable, though. "

" Looking forward to discussing it. "

" Loved the picture she paints of the setting for this book - the Amazon rain forest. Worth the read for that alone. "

" Thoroughly enjoyed this book but felt the plot's end wrapped up too quickly. Very engaging. "

" read for book group. good conversation book. "

" I actually really enjoyed this book. It was recommended to me by a coworker and at first I didn't think I would like it but it was actually a very touching story with a bunch of twists and turns. I especially loved the ending even though it left me a little sad. "

" The book was good overall, but I found the ending to be lacking. "

" I really enjoyed this book - love reading about the Amazonian rain forests. "

" What a perfect book to read to bring the memories of being in the rainforest last summer flooding back. wonderful, vivid descriptions, interesting story, and thoughtful ethical questions all included. I loved it and wished I hadn't finished it so quickly! "

" Loved this! I couldn't put it down, Patchett's best novel yet by far ... "

" Whew. I really loved "Bel Canto", but I'm going to have to think about this one for a while. Three and 1/2 stars so far... "

" Enjoyed the read... had enough to keep me turning pages "

" My favorite author has written another engrossing, beautifully written novel. I loved every second of it. "

" An excellent trip to "the heart of darkness" with Marina Singh, the American protagonist journeying to the Amazon and the sense of her self. Highly interesting and entertaining. "