Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Genres
Description
A researcher at a pharmaceutical company, Marina Singh journeys into the heart of the Amazonian delta to check on a field team that has been silent for two years--a dangerous assignment that forces Marina to confront the ghosts of her past.
Original publication date
2011-06-06 (1e édition anglaise)
2011-06-07 (1e édition américaine, HarperCollins Publishers, New York)
2014-05-05 (1e traduction et éditio française, Actes Sud)
2001-01-02 (Réédition française, Babel, Actes Sud)
Media reviews
In her latest novel, Ann Patchett, author of the beloved Bel Canto, takes her readers down the Amazon and deep into the rain forest in a book that is part adventure story, part morality tale...This book may be on a lot of book club lists already — but with good reason...
State of Wonder is heavy with literary parallels (to Henry James, to Greek myth), but in this respect the strongest links are to Heart of Darkness, a novel that Patchett substantially rewrites, with Conrad's male text repopulated with female characters (Swenson is this book's Kurtz). It lacks the
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developed emotional core of Patchett's earlier books, but it is her most mature work to date, a novel that tries to be more alive to the nerve ends of philosophical life than to the simpler machinery of character motivation. Show Less
“State of Wonder” is an engaging, consummately told tale. Patchett’s deadpan narrative style showcases a dry humor that enables her to wed, with fine effect, the world of “Avatar” or the “Odyssey” with that of corporate board meetings, R&D reports and peer review...
“State of
“State of
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Wonder” is an immensely touching novel, although as with much of Patchett’s work, its emotional impact is somewhat muted by her indefatigable niceness. Show Less
Nail-biting action scenes include a young boy’s near-mortal crushing by a 15-foot anaconda, whose head Marina lops off with a machete; they’re balanced by contemplative moments that give this gripping novel spiritual and metaphysical depth, right down to the final startling plot twist.
Awards
Women's Prize for Fiction (Longlist — 2012)
Audie Award (Finalist — 2012)
The Morning News Tournament of Books (Short List — 2012)
Salon Book Award (Fiction — 2011)
Wellcome Trust Book Prize (Shortlist — 2011)