At the first meeting of my new book club a few weeks ago, we had a riveting and lively discussion about State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. Most of us liked it, one person didn’t very much, but I think we all agreed that it was beautifully written and completely absorbing.
Marina Singh is a scientist who studies statins in a lab in Minnesota. When her co-worker, Anders, dies in the Amazon she is enlisted by both Anders’s wife and her boss (with whom she is having a secret relationship) to travel to Brazil and find out how he died and where he is buried. Anders had been trying to prod Dr. Annick Swenson to complete her research on a new fertility drug she is developing for their company. When Marina arrives at the camp she realizes that the research is disguising Dr. Swenson’s true goals, but she is lulled into complaisance by the freedom of living away from American society and by her relationship with a little boy named Easter who was informally adopted by Dr. Swenson. She quickly becomes comfortable living in the forest with limited modern conveniences and rough living conditions until an unexpected discovery forces her to make a drastic choice.
State of Wonder is an intricate, dynamic story that explores the ethics of invading native cultures for gain, the business of drug development and also touches on issues of aging, friendship, and regret. The story is told from Marina’s viewpoint and we come to know her as an intelligent, thoughtful and searching woman who goes to Brazil at a time when she is questioning her life decisions. She is a passive character without a strong backbone who is a perfect contrast to Dr. Swenson, an extremely steely lady who never questions herself.
The pacing is quite slow and this was a problem for several people in my book group. It is definitely not plot driven and there are many long descriptive passages and large chunks when nothing seems to happen. I really like this style and prefer a more leisurely narrative so I connected with the book in a way that some of my friends didn’t. I admire authors who can sustain my interest without constantly throwing twists and shocks into the story.
I think Ann Patchett created a quiet masterpiece with State of Wonder. I enjoyed it, engaged with it and was emotionally affected by the story more than I have been by a novel in a while. Her writing is understated yet gorgeous and she doesn’t judge her characters – she tells their story and leaves the interpretation to the reader.
I’ve loved both Patchett books I’ve read (the other was Truth and Beauty) and will read more of her novels this year. Have you read her books? Which would you recommend I read next?
A Certain Fondness 
I haven’t read any of her books, but she has been on my mental TBR list for a long time. Every review of this one that I’ve seen has been very positive!
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She is a great writer and her books are thought-provoking and inspiring. She is definitely one of our best American authors!
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I meant to read this last year for the Orange Prize but never did. I don’t mind a slower pace so hopefully I will enjoy it as much as you did.
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I forgot it was nominated for the Orange Prize! Truly deserved. I loved The Song of Achilles, but this could have won too.
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Ann Patchett is one of my favorite contemporary authors. I love the fact that her subject matter is so varied from book to book. Run was the first book of hers that I read and loved. I’d recommend either that or Bel Canto.
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I think Bel Canto will be next as I do own a copy of that. I find her writing so exciting and beautiful and I love that she is a champion of independent book stores.
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Given your summary, I’m surprised to hear it’s not plot driven. I guess the characters must be very developed for it to be the case (and I’m supposing they are because I know the book’s so popular). I fully admit to knowing nothing about the book up to now, but I am very intrigued given you said it’s a quiet masterpiece.
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The plot livens up toward the end of the book, but the bulk is mostly character development and I loved it. It is my favorite type of narrative. I absolutely loved it, but there is the potential for hatred because it does have a controversial ending which I didn’t want to mention for fear of ruining it for someone 🙂
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What a lovely cover! I haven’t read anything by Ann Patchett but after reading your thoughts I think I would like to read this book.
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The cover is beautiful isn’t it? Patchett is a wonderful contemporary author – one of the few I admire.
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I’ve read all of Ann Patchett’s books and enjoyed them all. Strangely Bel Canto, the most popular/best known, is far from my favorite. I really loved The Magician’s Assisstant and would like to reread it at some point.
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Now I want to read Bel Canto to see if I will like it! The Magician’s Assistant sounds really good too.
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I have only read Bel Canto which I enjoyed. This books sounds very good. I am so glad your book club has worked out!
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