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2023: Other Books
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State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, 3.5 stars
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I really disliked it, primarily the plot and characters. Your description as not hanging together is a good one. I love Patchett but this ranks lowest for me of all I have read. Glad it was not my first Patchett!
I enjoyed this book giving it five stars. I do remember that, after reading this book, I decided never to travel down the Amazon River without a hazmat suit.
Theresa wrote: "I really disliked it, primarily the plot and characters. Your description as not hanging together is a good one. I love Patchett but this ranks loest for me of all I have read. Glad it was not my f..."Theresa, As you can see, I had my own misgivings about the book. Yes, I've liked some of Pachett's other books much better than this one, particularly "Bel Canto" and "The Dutch House" .
John wrote: "I enjoyed this book giving it five stars. I do remember that, after reading this book, I decided never to travel down the Amazon River without a hazmat suit."John, you have plenty of company in really liking the book. I wonder if Patchett had ever traveled to the Amazon or if the descriptions of the jungle were all her imagination. (I woke up today with my first mosquito bite of summer. After all of the descriptions of bug bites in the book, I thought it was almost fitting.)
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.
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My Review
Ann Patchett certainly knows how to write novels that are exciting and propulsive to read. While reading the book, I felt myself to be deep in the Amazon jungle with her characters. I was under Patchett's spell and couldn't think clearly about the story until after finishing the book.
That said, I enjoyed the ride more than I liked the actual tale. It bothered me that the fictitious Lakashi tribe (as well as their neighboring tribe) was portrayed in such a demeaning way. And, I disliked how the deaf boy (named Easter) was treated like a ping pong ball.
This is an older book that is beloved by many readers. I found it entertaining and fun to read. I just expected more.
3.5 stars rounded to 4