I have fond memories of reading Ann Patchett’s beautiful novel Bel Canto (I still use a small excerpt in one of my classes), so I was excited to hear about her latest book, State of Wonder.
The novel opens when Dr. Marina Singh, a medical researcher for a large pharmaceutical firm, receives a short letter from Brazil, a letter informing her that her research partner has died in the jungle of the Amazon. What was this mild-mannered researcher doing in the Amazon? He was sent there by the company to check on Dr. Anneck Swenson, who had been working for years in the remote jungle of Brazil to develop a fertility drug.
At the request of her boss, Marina reluctantly agrees to travel to Brazil to learn more about her partner’s death and to prod Dr. Swenson into finishing her work (something that, from the perspective of the company funding her research, is taking much too long).
It takes Marina the first half of the novel to find Dr. Swenson (who was Marina’s professor and mentor during medical school) in the depths of the jungle. But that doesn’t mean that the first part of the novel drags; when Marina arrives in Brazil, for example, she meets a couple employed by Dr. Swenson to keep outsiders—including representatives from the drug company—from locating her remote lab.
When Marina finally locates Dr. Swenson (and forces her way to the jungle lab), State of Wonder becomes even more fascinating. From the flora and fauna of the jungle (at once beautiful and terrible) to the tribe of natives befriended by the team of researchers to the stern and uncompromising character of Dr. Swenson herself, Patchett creates a rich, textured novel that keeps unfolding in unexpected ways.
State of Wonder combines realistically complex characters, a well-paced plot, and plenty of ethical issues to consider. Patchett’s book shows hints of Heart of Darkness and hints of Barbara Kingsolver, but ultimately it is entirely her own. Days after finishing, I keep returning to this book in my mind (and looking for someone to discuss it with!), which is always the sign of a good read.
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