Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday - State of Wonder; Ann Patchett


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating! Want to participate? Post your own WOW entry on your blog, and leave your link at Breaking the Spine.Here's my pick for this week:


State of Wonder; Ann Patchett
Harper Collins - June 1, 2011

Ann Patchett has dazzled readers with her award-winning books, including The Magician's Assistant and the New York Times bestselling Bel Canto. Now she raises the bar with State of Wonder, a provocative and ambitious novel set deep in the Amazon jungle.

Dr. Marina Singh, a research scientist with a Minnesota pharmaceutical company, is sent to Brazil to track down her former mentor, Dr. Annick Swenson, who seems to have all but disappeared in the Amazon while working on what is destined to be an extremely valuable new drug, the development of which has already cost the company a fortune. Nothing about Marina's assignment is easy: not only does no one know where Dr. Swenson is, but the last person who was sent to find her, Marina's research partner Anders Eckman, died before he could complete his mission. Plagued by trepidation, Marina embarks on an odyssey into the insect-infested jungle in hopes of finding her former mentor as well as answers to several troubling questions about her friend's death, the state of her company's future, and her own past.

Once found, Dr. Swenson, now in her seventies, is as ruthless and uncompromising as she ever was back in the days of Grand Rounds at Johns Hopkins. With a combination of science and subterfuge, she dominates her research team and the natives she is studying with the force of an imperial ruler. But while she is as threatening as anything the jungle has to offer, the greatest sacrifices to be made are the ones Dr. Swenson asks of herself, and will ultimately ask of Marina, who finds she may still be unable to live up to her teacher's expectations.

In a narrative replete with poison arrows, devouring snakes, and a neighboring tribe of cannibals, State of Wonder is a world unto itself, where unlikely beauty stands beside unimaginable loss. It is a tale that leads the reader into the very heart of darkness, and then shows us what lies on the other side.
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25 comments:

  1. MishaMarch 30, 2011 at 1:08 AM

    I LOVE Ann Patchett's books! I am so excited for State of Wonder.

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  2. serendipity_vivMarch 30, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    Wow! The Amazon! I don't think I have ever read a book set there. I look forward to hearing more.

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  3. Tina's BlogMarch 30, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    This one is on my list, too. I usually really enjoy Patchett's work.

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  4. ZibileeMarch 30, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    Oh my! This book sounds fabulous, and since I have really enjoyed Patchett's writing in the past, I am adding this one to my list right now! Thanks for that enticing summary statement!

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  5. bermudaonionMarch 30, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    I bet a lot of people are waiting for this one!

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  6. JoAnnMarch 30, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    Didn't know Patchett had a new book coming out - can't wait!!

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  7. Lisa (Lisa's World of Books)March 30, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    This is a new author to me. Off to research thanks! Hope you will stop by for a visit http://www.lisasworldofbooks.com/2011/03/waiting-on-wednesday_30.html

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  8. JillMarch 30, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Me too, me too!!!

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  9. Laurel-Rain SnowMarch 30, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Oh, definitely one for me! I love Ann Patchett's books. And this one sounds thrilling and fascinating, too.

    Here's MY WOW POST

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  10. nomadreaderMarch 30, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    I'm eagerly awaiting this one too!

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  11. Brian's Home BlogMarch 30, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    There is another one on our list, I like the sounds of that one!

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  12. TheBookGirlMarch 30, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    This definitely sounds like one that you could get lost in...hope you enjoy it when it comes out.

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  13. BooksnycMarch 30, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    ooh - I like the sound of this one - I work in the pharma industry so I am interested to see how realistically drug development is described.

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  14. ScarlettMarch 30, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Sounds interesting. Hope you enjoy it! LOVE your blog name ^__^

    My WOW

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  15. AnonymousMarch 30, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    I know I'm waiting for this one too. Great choice.

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  16. AthiraMarch 30, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    I can't wait to read this one! I just loved Bel Canto!

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  17. SukoMarch 30, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Diane, this does sound riveting! I hope you'll enjoy it.

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  18. DonnaMarch 30, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    I'm very happy I saw your post today - I also didn't know Ann Patchett was coming out with another book! Yay!

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  19. StaciMarch 30, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    This one sounds interesting. I can't believe that I've never read anything by her!!!!!!!!!!!

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  20. PaulitaMarch 30, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    I enjoyed Bel Canto but I haven't tried Patchett's other books. Maybe I'll pick up this one.

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  21. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)March 30, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    I'll have to keep an eye out for this one. I enjoy books based in the world of science.

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  22. JennersMarch 30, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    I'm so up and down on Patchett books but this does sound interesting.

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  23. Thomas HogglestockMarch 31, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Yay. I love Ann Patchett and I had no idea she had another one coming out. Can't wait.

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  24. ErinMarch 31, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    I still haven't read Ann Patchett. I guess I should!

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  25. MelissaApril 11, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    I didn't really enjoy Bel Canto all that much, but I'm still excited for this one!

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