From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader…

State of Wonder

Ann Patchett

Start date: February 15, 2012

Finish date: March 1, 2012

Discussion: Reading List

Discussion leader: Roxane

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Reading List

* The Schedule for July through Dec. 2025
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What Members Thought

Nov 19, 2019 Linda rated it really liked it

Shelves: signed, 2019, book-discussion-read, own, chcpl, fiction, hardback, orange-cube

The writing was beautiful and evocative. I never knew where this book was going. I'm still confused by some parts, but I willingly went on one heck of an emotional ride with this one. Now, like with any roller coaster ride, let's do it again. ...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Wendy rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, 52-books-atw, 2012

This book is well written. The writing style is clean and the the author does a decent job of moving the narrative forward in a fairly effortless manner. BUT, I'm afraid I just did not buy into the characters at all. The choices they made seemed inexplicable and not at all in line w/ what any person in real life might actually do. Honestly, I can't think of anything that would induce me to set foot on a boat that would take me down the Amazon to some place completely off the grid with no contact ...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Happyreader rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

A 21st-century Amazonian Heart of Darkness. The true terror of the tale is the prospect of being able to give birth well into old age. Mother of God!! Wouldn't a better wonder drug provide an easeful menopause or side effect-free birth control? Loved the Amazonian jungle, even if the portrayal was a little too fairy tale and, despite the anaconda and biting insect army, tame. After all the pre-Amazon angst, it was nice to have Marina lose all her baggage, literally and otherwise, in an Amazonian ...more

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May 20, 2020 Despond rated it liked it

If I had read a few chapters and the end, I wouldn’t have missed a whole lot. Slow pace, plot is not developped with the intensity and focus to keep me engaged. At the very least I need character development a la Charles Dickens.

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Mar 28, 2013 Val rated it liked it

I read this a long time ago for book club and can't figure out why I didn't add it to my list. Unless it was lost somehow. Anyway, since it is not fresh in my memory I can only go on impressions remaining. Kind of reminded me of The Heart of Darkness in the description of the river and the journey to find the missing man.
Never really got into the characters much. I didn't love this book but I also didn't hate it so it's 3 stars until I find a copy and refresh my memory. ...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Cynthia rated it it was amazing

A superbly written story that got me to total suspension of disbelief. Its subject matter includes very real topics like big drug companies and their abuse of power through lust for money, child bearing at older ages and preservation of natural resources. The story itself is a sort of magical realism seldom seen in English. It is a fabulous, lush read.

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Mar 05, 2012 Pang rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: tob, constant-reader, tob2012

I found this book to be entertaining, but there was nothing really memorable about it. I found Marina to be a little whiny half-way through the book. While a lot of people found Dr. Swenson to be unlikeable and deceitful, I actually really enjoyed her. I think she was a survivor. She did whatever it took to survive and with conviction/principal. However, I was a little disappointed in her when she revealed truthfully how Easter had came to live with her. Overall it was a fast read and interestin ...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Cheryl rated it did not like it

Good grief. I like Ann Patchett, I really do, but this book was not worth my time. I cannot believe that I read through it just to say that I read it.

That being said, why exactly did I not like it? I found the two main characters unlikable, even at the end, I had a deep desire to slap them. I completely understand that some would like this book but I am not one of them.

Oh, and yes, I do understand that there are parallels between the two main characters but still, come on. It wasn't enough to ...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Jessica rated it really liked it

Shelves: borrowed-from-mom, medicine, south-america

Patchett writes beautifully, and while it starts a bit slowly it picks up steam after about page 40 or so. Poses a number of interesting questions about medical research and ethics as well as being a compelling human drama. My lone quibble is that I'm left wanting to understand Dr. Swenson better, which is both powerful and frustrating at the same time. ...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Patty rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Having read Bel Canto by the same author, I was anxious to read another by her, and was not disappointed with State of Wonder. Great story, great character development. I felt like I was in the Amazon!

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