State of Wonder question

I agree with Dave above. The review I read of this book was in the research journal, Science, so it wasn't from a blog board like this. I do not think it influenced my interpretation of the book. It just influenced me to get the book. since then, I have read all her other work. She is probably my favorite author.

Ugh...I had to put it down after the first 100 pages, and then I read the last 20 so I know how it ends. I rarely do this with books, but I just couldn't handle the way she kept jumping from the present to the past with no separation.

And most obnoxiously- who puts their fancy emergency cell phone in their luggage?!

This was my only book by Ann Prachett. I knew of her reputation as an 'important' author so out of curiousity, I read State of Wonder. I have seldom read anything with fewer sympathtic characters and the whole magical plants as pregnancy agents left me cold. Marina was drawn as a gifted but damaged researcher but she did not seem independent enough to investigate anything on her own. I had a hard time believing the others acceptance of Swansons demands. I really felt myself doing a lot of mental double takes as I read this.

State of WonderI'm late to the party and have just finished it (2024!). Many of the strengths and weaknesses I observed are discussed here. But, a small thing, I did wonder why the author kept referring to Mr Fox as Mr Fox. Even Marina, his lover. The formality was so strange.

Susan wrote: "I read half the book and quit, which I hardly EVER do.I read only amazing reviews and recommendations for this book, so I was anxious to read it. I found the characters dull and the story a bit slo..."

YES!!!!!

Great book.
Couldn't put to down.
Hoping that her next book will be as worthy.
Tom

I loved this book. After I finished it, I looked up Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," which I had read years ago. State of Wonder seems to me to be a modern day homage to Conrad. Heart of Darkness is told from the point of view of Marlowe, an old sailor who once captained a steamboat down the river. He is sent to retrieve the remains of his predecessor, just as Marina went partly to recover the remains of her predecessor, Anders. I'm going to have to reread Heart of Darkness now. The title of "State of Wonder" strikes me as a deliberate comparison to the title of "Heart of Darkness."

I work with a lot of scientists, so I found the characters completely believable. I loved this book from start to finish!

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I loved the first half of this book and felt it got slower and slower as we neared the end. I felt that the expectations that were set up in the first half just weren't fulfilled in the second.

Although it is flawed and not as good as her masterpiece--Bel Canto--I enjoyed this novel immensely.

Yes, there are problems with the science and with some plot points, but Patchett's writing is exquisite and I found her characters well-drawn and memorable.

I even blogged about the novel:
http://www.michaelsussmanbooks.com/20...

I waas so disappointed in this book after reading her "bel Canto" a few years back. In fact, as it progressed I found it a bit creepy and it was hard to believe it was from the mind of the same writer.

I too loved this book. It does seem a bit slow in the first half of the book, but the building of the characters and surroundings really does help the second half of the book come alive. I also enjoyed a couple of unexpected turns which for an avid reader where you feel that most books you have everything figured out, it was a great addition. Mostly just the rich and detailed environment, people and interactions is what sold me on the book. I have read two other books from the author and this is by far my favorite.

I enjoyed this book. There were a lot of pages spent on the actual getting to the jungle, which I would have liked see spent on the experiences in the jungle.

I liked how Marina came to accept herself as a doctor afer her terrible experience with the c-section while she was a resident. I think Swenson came around and I ended up liking her. She is a hard-ass and likes things done her way, but it was nice to see her need someone as badly as she needed Marina to help with her own c-section. I loved Easter and absolutely hated what happened to him, but on the other hand, his relationship with Swenson and the other doctors was based on lies to begin with.

I thought it was pretty far fetched that Barbara would happen to find Anders when they took a wrong turn trying to get to Marina and Swenson. Also, it was pretty low down for Marina to sleep with Anders when she had so much "respect" for his wife to go out there looking for answers about his death.
I loved the anaconda scene and the imagery with the Rapps and the Martins. I wouldn't mind a sequel to see if Marina returns to take over for Swenson!

I felt the same way about the first half..but the second half really got my attention & I couldn't put it down. @ Chris, I was wondering the same thing about the ending....maybe there will be a part 2?

We too found lots to talk about: ethics of human experimentation, how far science should go to manipulate nature, whether something should be done just because it it can be, personal responsibility and sacrifice. Characters were all flawed people who made some horrible choices. The ending left me wondering. What next for Marina--and any consequences of her night of "physical comfort".

Susan, definitely read the rest of the book. It is slow and drags on but all of a sudden picks up and takes off. I suffered through a vacation with a friend I recommended the book to. All I heard was complaints. When she finally finished the book, and loved it, I asked her if it was really worth sticking with she said YES. Same thing happened in my book club. We had a good discussion too.

I loved this book and would rate it as one of the top books I read in 2011!

I thought the second half was better than the first, but I also liked the first half. Sounds like the book isn't to your taste though.

I will say I try to avoid reading reviews before a book though, I don't like to start a book with others expectations.

I loved this book from the first sentence. While I was reading it, I thought I'd never love a book this much again! Not just the remarkable characters, but the Amazonian setting was thrilling---I remember one description of the insects at dusk that I had to read 3 times. And the scene with the boa constrictor!