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State of Wonder

Ann Patchett

Discussion: Books Set in Latin America

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Books Set in Latin America

* Latin American Authors
By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 9 posts · 721 views

last updated Dec 12, 2020 07:30AM

Argentina
By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 56 posts · 2241 views

last updated Sep 20, 2025 09:52PM

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What Members Thought

Jul 22, 2014 Victoria Allman rated it it was amazing

I was sucked into this book and Patchett's lyrical prose within the first few pages. I loved it. Her descriptions of the Amazon and her word choices for sentences had me rereading passages as well as dreaming of traveling to Brazil to see the world she describes first hand.
This is a book of layers. Although, early on it seems to be a mystery of what happened to Marina's colleague when he was in the jungles of the Amazon, but soon I found myself lost in the stories of what the scientists were doi ...more

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Oct 24, 2012 Greer rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2012-books

For much of this novel, the story and characters didn't feel genuine. Add to that grating narration of the audiobook by Hope Davis, clunky prose, an insipid heroine who barely learns or grows (and never seems to enter a "state of wonder"), implausible plot twists, and an insulting Western-centric portrayal of the indigenous people, and you've got hours of wasted time spent on a piece of dreck.

After reading this book, I have no desire to read any of Patchett's other novels. ...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Missyjohnson1 rated it liked it

the only other Patchett book that I had read was Bel Canto and I remember liking it. this one, not so much. Patchett places people in extraordinary circumstances and then tries to throw in moral and ethical dilemmas that sometimes are a stretch the way that they are thrown in. This book had me wondering way too many things outside of the story. Why didn't the boat ever run out of gas? How could you live among a tribe for 50 years and never learn the language? and on and on. ...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Mary rated it really liked it

Field studies attempting to find new drugs is an interesting field. This group, trying to find a way to prolong fertility, takes placin the Amazon. I am interested in the area and the topic so found this book very interesting.

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