Award-winning "New York Times"-bestselling author Ann Patchett (Bel Canto, The Magician's Assistant) returns with a provocative novel of morality and miracles, science and sacrifice set in the Amazon rainforest--a gripping adventure story and a profound look at the difficult choices we make in the name of discovery and love.
In a narrative replete with poison arrows, devouring snakes, scientific miracles, and spiritual transformations, State of Wonder presents a world of stunning surprise and danger, rich in emotional resonance and moral complexity.
As Dr. Marina Singh embarks upon an uncertain odyssey into the insect-infested Amazon, she will be forced to surrender herself to the lush but forbidding world that awaits within the jungle. Charged with finding her former mentor Dr. Annick Swenson, a researcher who has disappeared while working on a valuable new drug, she will have to confront her own memories of tragedy and sacrifice as she journeys into the unforgiving heart of darkness. Stirring and luminous, State of Wonder is a world unto itself, where unlikely beauty stands beside unimaginable loss beneath the rain forest's jeweled canopy
What an interesting book! When I first starting reading it I did not think I would enjoy this book, no idea why, just the attitude I had in my head at the time. I was very wrong. From the start there was something about the story and the writing style that kept me enthralled and just wanting to keep on reading and reading. The author has an amazing way of letting you peek around the corner of the story to see what is there and then presenting you with another corner that you just must get a peek around.
The story itself was full of interesting and amazing facts as well as a number of moral and ethical dilemmas for one to ponder on.
I did not see a lot of it coming in the story and I am normally quite adept at seeing what is coming next or anticipating the shock element. Not so in this book, I was taken by surprise on a number of points, in a good way.
It is actually quite difficult to write my review without inserting a large number of spoilers as there were just so many parts of the story that I want to mention or comment on. Luckily, this book is for one of my book groups, so I will get to discuss it with the ladies in that. It is a book and a story that has filled my head up and is spinning around and around in there.
Why have I dropped one point! I thought the ending left just a few too many questions unanswered for me. Is there going to be a sequel??!! I am torn on that as I would like a number of questions answered or things to happen but I am also, usually, disappointed by sequels so perhaps it is better left unsaid. A great and interesting read and one that would be perfect for a bookgroup discussion.
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