State of Wonder in Busy as a Bee Books

Feb 05, 2011 Amy rated it really liked it

Shelves: _own-home-library, _own-ebook, busy-as-a-bee-books-group, fiction, read-in-2011

Ann Patchett does it AGAIN! I was reluctant about reading this ... the description of the book did not intrigue me. In fact, I was sure that I wouldn't connect with it. But, the magic of Ann Patchett made it all okay! No matter what she writes about, I seem to love it!

Patchett's ability to take you into a world that is unknown to you, make it come alive, and write it all well is her magic! She is an incredible writer. The Amazon CAME ALIVE in this book. All because of Ann Patchett's incredible w Ann Patchett does it AGAIN! I was reluctant about reading this ... the description of the book did not intrigue me. In fact, I was sure that I wouldn't connect with it. But, the magic of Ann Patchett made it all okay! No matter what she writes about, I seem to love it!

Patchett's ability to take you into a world that is unknown to you, make it come alive, and write it all well is her magic! She is an incredible writer. The Amazon CAME ALIVE in this book. All because of Ann Patchett's incredible writing ability. All in all, the writing is lush, beautiful and engrossing. One of the things I love most about Ann Patchett is that each of her stories is a complete shift from that which she's written before. I never know where she's going to come from, where she's going to take me. For me, all of her novels are amazing - but amazing in completely different ways! And part of the treat in reading a Patchett novel is not knowing where you'll be going from the start. She defies my attempts to pigeonhole her every time!

Although State of Wonder isn't my favorite Patchett novel (I think Bel Canto and Run are overall better novels), it is an EXCELLENT book. Definitely worth reading!

The characters are wonderful, flawed, interesting and compelling. The major and minor characters seem to walk right out of the book, through Patchett' words. They come alive. I love that her characters are never cookie cutter men and women. They tend to be flawed, true and real. And the characters in this novel are no exception. The characters in this novel are multifaceted. They are good and bad - just like you and me!

One of the most impactful (and enjoyable) aspects of this novel is how Patchett makes the jungle come alive. The insects, heat, trees, critters and the suffocating heat/humidity come together for the reader in a way that makes the jungle a critical character in the novel. Each aspect of the jungle is conveyed incredibly!

I admit that the premise of this novel wasn't particularly compelling BUT Patchett surprised me and made it WORK. And made it work well. Although the focus is on the Amazon, fertility, anacondas, cannibals, pharmaceutical companies and a mystery, it is SO much more! Don't let the premise keep you away!

I recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys a good story with wonderful writing! If you've enjoyed Patchett's other novels, you won't be disappointed! ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

May 11, 2011 Jen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: five-star-reads

Much like Bel Canto State of Wonder came bolting out of the gates, then slowed way down, and the finished in a quick flurry. It kind of annoys me but I am beginning to understand that this is Patchett's style and I need to just go with it.

Like all Patchett books, State of Wonder is beautifully written, with rich, complex characters that, like life, have many issues, many of which do not wrap up and resolve by the end of the novel. It's a challenge, because it is so unlike most novels that resol ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Oct 18, 2011 Michelle rated it liked it

Shelves: bee-shelf, read-in-2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Like · see review

Oct 05, 2011 Deb rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: hive-2011, 2011

I really enjoyed this book and listened to it on the way to/from work. I was disappointed in the ending. I am not sure what the point of the book was since the characters basically ended up where they started.

Like · see review