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trishcav2022's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
saraalk's review against another edition
1.0
I think this book was all over the place, I still don’t know what the point of the book was. Like what?
joaniesickler's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a couple false starts to read Patchett's Bel Canto that everyone was raving about. That treat led me to State of Wonder, not knowing that it was her latest and just released. It is terrific. You can smell and hear and feel the Amazon jungle closing in and the story is pretty darn close to riveting. Gotta find out more about this woman. How did she research this one?
threegoodrats's review against another edition
5.0
Review here: http://blog.threegoodrats.com/2011/09/state-of-wonder.html
jrangel1's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
salgalruns's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely a 4.5 read for me. I started this yesterday and finished earlier today. When the story opens, I was worried...a story about scientists studying statins that leads to the rain forest? Perhaps I should have listened to this quote from the story?
“Never be so focused on what you're looking for that you overlook the thing you actually find.”
Ann Patchett does an amazing job of allowing you into the character without all the flowy prose of detail. Rather, she opens them up gradually, with a little more detail each time you open a new chapter. It keeps you constantly surprised (or relieved to find out you were right). I would have to say that I truly loved Marina - she was in an awkward relationship, but was also awkward herself in so many ways. You have to love that she continues to lose things, even giving away her own clothes without realizing it. Yet, she endears herself to the culture in a seamless way.
Least favorite character, by the way, needs to be mentioned. Mr. Fox, seriously - grow up and act on whatever the heck you're thinking. He's so reserved that it just makes me wonder why she's with him.
I'm not one for medical sorts of books, but found the crux of the studied material equally fascinating. Malaria and Fertility? I love how even though fertility among the more senior women happens, Dr. Swenson recognizes that the rest of the body may not be prepared for it!
The only thing that held me back from a 5 rating was the ending - it seemed too abrupt and a little without closure for my liking. You can see where Patchett was going with it, making the Amazon the focal point, but still...
I closed the book (so to speak, since it's an eBook) with a strong desire to CAREFULLY travel to South America, with a guide, without picking up an Anaconda!
“Never be so focused on what you're looking for that you overlook the thing you actually find.”
Ann Patchett does an amazing job of allowing you into the character without all the flowy prose of detail. Rather, she opens them up gradually, with a little more detail each time you open a new chapter. It keeps you constantly surprised (or relieved to find out you were right). I would have to say that I truly loved Marina - she was in an awkward relationship, but was also awkward herself in so many ways. You have to love that she continues to lose things, even giving away her own clothes without realizing it. Yet, she endears herself to the culture in a seamless way.
Least favorite character, by the way, needs to be mentioned. Mr. Fox, seriously - grow up and act on whatever the heck you're thinking. He's so reserved that it just makes me wonder why she's with him.
Spoiler
Another point? Patchett spent more time discussing the affair with Anders than ANYTHING with Fox.I'm not one for medical sorts of books, but found the crux of the studied material equally fascinating. Malaria and Fertility? I love how even though fertility among the more senior women happens, Dr. Swenson recognizes that the rest of the body may not be prepared for it!
The only thing that held me back from a 5 rating was the ending - it seemed too abrupt and a little without closure for my liking. You can see where Patchett was going with it, making the Amazon the focal point, but still...
I closed the book (so to speak, since it's an eBook) with a strong desire to CAREFULLY travel to South America, with a guide, without picking up an Anaconda!
jordansmoot's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5