Sep 06, 2016 we love ann patchett for her novels, but her new one, commonwealth, reminds us that, in another world, she could have been one of our favorite short story writers, too. Ann patchetts state of wonder book clubs ann patchett, fertility drugs. Jan 23, 2014 the title essay of ann patchett s latest book, this is the story of a happy marriage, isnt exactly what it sounds like. Discussion questions for state of wonder by ann patchett. Ann patchett is also the author of several other novels, including bel canto, run and state of wonder. Ann patchetts state of wonder and other twists on classic novels. Marina singh is sent into the isolated regions of the rio negro to investigate the death of one colleague and meet up with her former professor and team leader dr swenson.
Book summary ann patchett raises the bar with state of wonder, a provocative and ambitious novel set deep in the amazon jungle. Dont be put off reading her other books by a less than brilliant reader though as anne patchett is an excellent writer. Marina singh, a research scientist with a minnesota pharmaceutical company, is sent to brazil to track down her former mentor, dr. Nov 16, 2011 state of wonder, by ann patchett in her sixth novel, state of wonder, ann patchett delivers an adventure story that still rests comfortably on the shelf of literary fiction. May 03, 2011 state of wonder is a story that conveys a wonderful adventure of stunning scope and scenery. Annick swenson, who seems to have disappeared in the amazon while working on an extremely valuable. She travels into the amazon jungle to collect the remains and. Annick swenson, who seems to have all but disappeared in the amazon. She is the coowner of parnassus books in nashville, tenn.
Ann patchett raises the bar with state of wonder, a provocative and ambitious novel set deep in the amazon jungle. State of wonder state of wonder is a world unto itself, where unlikely beauty stands beside unimaginable loss, a tale that leads into the very heart of darkness and then shows us what lies on the other side. There are many aspects of morality and ethics to be discussed, especially in regards to gray areas of what seems right but might actually be unethical. In that book, patchett explores two settings that are largely unfamiliar to most western readers. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Now she raises the bar with state of wonder, a provocative and ambitious novel set deep in the amazon jungle dr. The patron saint of liars, which was a new york times notable book of the year. Ann patchett is the author of seven novels, the patron saint of liars, taft, the magicians assistant, bel canto, run, state of wonder, and commonwealth. State of wonder is a 2011 novel by american author ann patchett. Jun 19, 2011 state of wonder, patchetts eighth book and sixth novel, is no less multinational in its cast of characters, or highstakes in its plot. My best guess is that if you liked those welldeveloped novels you will also like state of wonder. In ann patchetts new novel, a research scientist goes outside her comfort zone, to the amazon jungle, to help solve the mystery of a.
The resulting novel, state of wonder, is a triumph and patchetts best book yet. Patchett is the editor of the 2006 volume of the anthology series the best american short stories. State of wonder, patchetts eighth book and sixth novel, is no less multinational in its cast of characters, or highstakes in its plot. Ann patchett has dazzled readers with her awardwinning books, including the magicians assistant and the new york times bestselling bel canto. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion and a free quiz on state of wonder by ann patchett. Barbara bovender, one of anniks caretakersgatekeepers, tells marina annik is such a force of nature. Author interview ann patchett, author of state of wonder. Patchett points out that she wrote state of wonder much, much more quickly than any of her five previous novels. Now that i have had a chance to see for myself, i can say that the praise for author ann patchett is totally justified. One of my favorite experiences in any movie or book is this and i agree that patchett did it well. The patron saint of liars, taft, the magicians assistant, bel canto, run, state of wonder, commonwealth and the dutch house. State of wonder is an imaginative tale of mystery, morals, ethics, and the delicate balance that can exist within the world, both within a single ecosystem and within ourselves. The title essay of ann patchetts latest book, this is the story of a happy marriage, isnt exactly what it sounds like. The book was published by bloomsbury in the united kingdom and by harper in.
Ann patchett books list of books by author ann patchett. Commonwealth by ann patchett book club discussion questions. From the fantastical bel canto to the heartrending memoir truth and beauty, patchetts precocious beginnings have blossomed into a major literary career. State of wonder by ann patchett contains spoilers orange januaryjuly. Before even delving into the book, it is important to recognize that minnesota itself can be both a dreary and gray place and a state of wonder.
These discussion questions allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the overarching plot, characters, and scenes in ann patchett s novel, state of wonder. Ann patchetts new novel, state of wonder, is her most mature work to date. I just finished reading this book and felt quite amazed and thirsty for discussion about some of the truth and controversy stirred up by the various characters, scenes, and ethics presented. Marina singh, the 42yearold research scientist who is the heroine of state of wonder, ann patchetts most farflung yet somehow least exotic book, is in her office at a large. In fact, her first novel sold 24 hours after it had been sent out. Discussion questions book club recommendationsdiscussion. In her sixth novel, state of wonder, ann patchett delivers an adventure story that still rests comfortably on the shelf of literary fiction. Patchett is unbelievably talented and this book left me with a feeling of wow. State of wonder raises questions of morality and principle, civilization, culture, love, and. Patchetts other novels include the patron saint of liars 1992, taft 1994, the magicians assistant 1997, run 2007, state of wonder 2011, commonwealth 2016, and the dutch house 2019. Marina singh embarks upon an uncertain odyssey into the insectinfested amazon. State of wonder was recommended to me by so many women in the sixty and me community that i decided it was time to add it to my reading list. Jun 24, 2011 ann patchett s sixth novel, state of wonder, merges the two kingdoms in the story of a pharmacologist, marina singh, who travels into the amazonian jungle to spend time with the mysterious lakashi.
One of the best novels of the year, ann patchetts state of wonder, is an updated version of heart of darkness. State of wonder by ann patchett book club discussion. Patchetts jungle seethes and seeps, the humidity and the insects and the utter. Its actually the story of an unhappy marriage that ends quickly in divorce. Find discussion questions and reading group guide for state of wonder by ann patchett. This 52page guide for state of wonder by ann patchett includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 11 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. It is the story of pharmacologist marina singh, who journeys to brazil to bring back information about seemingly miraculous drug research being conducted there by her former teacher, dr. State of wonder by ann patchett book club discussion questions. Am i the only one that got the impression at the very very end of the book that marina was pregnant with anders chil. First, regarding the love scene and its implications, i initially felt disappointed at this somewhat tainting of endof. Identify a few for example, eden prairie marinas minnesota home, easter the young deaf native boy, milton the brazilian guide and talk about how ann patchett uses them to deepen the story. In 2011, she published state of wonder, a novel set in the amazon jungle, which was shortlisted for the orange prize. Patchetts focus on contrast is clear from the very first pages. Ann patchett born december 2, 1963 is an american author.
Discussion questions for state of wonder by ann patchett 1. Over the next month, david lynn, natalie shapero, janet mcadams and i will be writing a backandforth online discussion here about ann patchetts critically acclaimed novel, state of wonder. State of wonder is a masterpiece novel, written by true wordsmith ann patchett. Identify a fewfor example, eden prairie marinas minnesota home, easter the young deaf native boy, milton the razilian guideand talk about how ann patchett uses them to deepen the story. Researcher marina singh leaves her minnesota lab for the amazon to investigate a coworkers death and evaluate the research of a field team deep in the jungle. Patchett has written several acclaimed and popular books including bel canto and the magicians assistant. Marina singh, a research scientist with a pharmaceutical company, is sent to track down her former mentor, dr. My simple human response was that of actual wonder upon closing the cover.
Ann patchett biography an interview with ann patchett discover how ann patchett, who knew nothing about opera, learned all she needed to know in order to develop the opera singing lead character in bel canto. I thought that ann patchett had made her great contribution to literature with bel canto. Online book discussion of ann patchetts state of wonder. Commonwealth book club discussion questions arlenes book club. State of wonder state of wonder is a world unto itself, where unlikely beauty stands beside unimaginable loss, a tale that leads into the very heart of darkness and then shows us what lies on the other side dr. Ann patchett calls commonwealth her autobiographical first.
State of wonder i really enjoyed this book despite the reader not doing it justice. Marina singh sets off into the amazon jungle to find the remains and. State of wonder raises questions of morality and principle, civilization, culture, love, and science. State of wonder ann patchett, 2011 harpercollins 368 pp.
As the first section of the book unfolds, we learn that marinas childhood trips to visit her largely absentee. To ask other readers questions about state of wonder, please sign up. Annick swenson, who seems to have disappeared in the amazon while working on an extremely valuable new drug. Discover how ann patchett, who knew nothing about opera, learned all she needed to know in order to develop the opera singing lead character in bel canto. Sep 08, 2016 ann patchett is also the author of several other novels, including bel canto, run and state of wonder. Official website for ann patchett, owner of parnassus books and international bestselling author of bel canto, state of wonder, and commonwealth. Patchett s jungle seethes and seeps, the humidity and the insects and the utter. Jun 10, 2011 the resulting novel, state of wonder, is a triumph and patchett s best book yet. In his first post about state of wonder, sergei lobanovrostovsky posed a series of questions about marinas nightmares. In 2019, patchett published her first childrens book, lambslide, and the novel the dutch house. May 06, 2012 i get to wake up this discussion out of dormancy. Marina singh is sent to brazil to track down her former mentor, dr. Identify a fewfor example, eden prairie marinas minnesota home, easter the young deaf native boy, milton the brazilian guideand talk about how ann patchett uses them to deepen the story. State of wonder by ann patchett halifax public libraries.
93 1447 714 375 604 1659 431 1491 831 1299 135 890 789 500 1479 123 373 1512 1646 1408 608 1026 292 38 1654 1610 831 978 19 1291 1329 1544 810 596 377 1445 413 896 793 946 583 224 490 895