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. 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. 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. Annick swenson, who seems to have all but disappeared in the amazon. State of wonder i really enjoyed this book despite the reader not doing it justice. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Ann patchett has dazzled readers with her awardwinning books, including the magicians assistant and the new york times bestselling bel canto. Patchett points out that she wrote state of wonder much, much more quickly than any of her five previous novels. In that book, patchett explores two settings that are largely unfamiliar to most western readers. 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.
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. Marina singh, a research scientist with a pharmaceutical company, is sent to track down her former mentor, dr. As the first section of the book unfolds, we learn that marinas childhood trips to visit her largely absentee. In ann patchetts new novel, a research scientist goes outside her comfort zone, to the amazon jungle, to help solve the mystery of a. Discussion questions for state of wonder by ann patchett 1. State of wonder by ann patchett book club discussion questions.
Commonwealth book club discussion questions arlenes book club. State of wonder starts with the death of anders eckman, a research doctor for pharmaceutical company vogel. Official website for ann patchett, owner of parnassus books and international bestselling author of bel canto, state of wonder, and commonwealth. My simple human response was that of actual wonder upon closing the cover. Patchett has written several acclaimed and popular books including bel canto and the magicians assistant.
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. Sep 08, 2016 ann patchett is also the author of several other novels, including bel canto, run and state of wonder. 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. 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. 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. 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.
State of wonder summary and study guide supersummary. To ask other readers questions about state of wonder, please sign up. She received the 2002 penfaulkner award and the orange prize for fiction in the same year, for her novel bel canto. Ann patchett calls commonwealth her autobiographical. These discussion questions allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the overarching plot, characters, and scenes in ann patchett s novel, state of wonder. Patchett is unbelievably talented and this book left me with a feeling of wow. Its actually the story of an unhappy marriage that ends quickly in divorce. In 2011, she published state of wonder, a novel set in the amazon jungle, which was shortlisted for the orange prize. Discussion questions for state of wonder by ann patchett. State of wonder raises questions of morality and principle, civilization, culture, love, and science. 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. Patchetts focus on contrast is clear from the very first pages.
When i finished run, which was a book that took me forbloodyever, i didnt have an idea for a book, and thats really rare, she says. In fact, her first novel sold 24 hours after it had been sent out. One of the best novels of the year, ann patchetts state of wonder, is an updated version of heart of darkness. These discussion questions allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the overarching plot, characters, and scenes in ann patchetts novel, state of wonder. The title essay of ann patchetts latest book, this is the story of a happy marriage, isnt exactly what it sounds like.
This book is a treasure trove for a book club discussion. Find discussion questions and reading group guide for state of wonder by ann patchett. 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. Patchett s jungle seethes and seeps, the humidity and the insects and the utter. Ann patchett raises the bar with state of wonder, a provocative and ambitious novel set deep in the amazon jungle. Jun 10, 2011 the resulting novel, state of wonder, is a triumph and patchett s best book yet. Ann patchett born december 2, 1963 is an american author. Marina singh is sent to brazil to track down her former mentor, dr.
State of wonder by ann patchett contains spoilers orange januaryjuly. May 03, 2011 state of wonder is a story that conveys a wonderful adventure of stunning scope and scenery. The resulting novel, state of wonder, is a triumph and patchetts best book yet. One of my favorite experiences in any movie or book is this and i agree that patchett did it well. Book summary ann patchett raises the bar with state of wonder, a provocative and ambitious novel set deep in the amazon jungle. 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. State of wonder by ann patchett halifax public libraries. 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. State of wonder ann patchett, 2011 harpercollins 368 pp. 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.
State of wonder is a masterpiece novel, written by true wordsmith ann patchett. 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. Ann patchett books list of books by author ann patchett. She travels into the amazon jungle to collect the remains and. 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.
Online book discussion of ann patchetts state of wonder. Ann patchetts state of wonder book clubs ann patchett, fertility drugs. Marina singh embarks upon an uncertain odyssey into the insectinfested amazon. 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. My best guess is that if you liked those welldeveloped novels you will also like state of wonder.
The book was published by bloomsbury in the united kingdom and by harper in. Dont be put off reading her other books by a less than brilliant reader though as anne patchett is an excellent writer. First, regarding the love scene and its implications, i initially felt disappointed at this somewhat tainting of endof. Author interview ann patchett, author of state of wonder. Annick swenson, who seems to have disappeared in the amazon while working on an extremely valuable. The patron saint of liars, which was a new york times notable book of the year. In his first post about state of wonder, sergei lobanovrostovsky posed a series of questions about marinas nightmares. In her sixth novel, state of wonder, ann patchett delivers an adventure story that still rests comfortably on the shelf of literary fiction.
Patchetts jungle seethes and seeps, the humidity and the insects and the utter. Patchett is the editor of the 2006 volume of the anthology series the best american short stories. Ann patchetts state of wonder and other twists on classic novels. In 2019, patchett published her first childrens book, lambslide, and the novel the dutch house. 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, taft, the magicians assistant, bel canto, run, state of wonder, commonwealth and the dutch house. State of wonder raises questions of morality and principle, civilization, culture, love, and. 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. Am i the only one that got the impression at the very very end of the book that marina was pregnant with anders chil.
State of wonder, patchetts eighth book and sixth novel, is no less multinational in its cast of characters, or highstakes in its plot. Commonwealth by ann patchett book club discussion questions. Barbara bovender, one of anniks caretakersgatekeepers, tells marina annik is such a force of nature. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Discussion questions book club recommendationsdiscussion. 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. Now that i have had a chance to see for myself, i can say that the praise for author ann patchett is totally justified. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion and a free quiz on state of wonder by ann patchett. From the fantastical bel canto to the heartrending memoir truth and beauty, patchetts precocious beginnings have blossomed into a major literary career. Buy a cheap copy of state of wonder book by ann patchett.
Marina singh, a research scientist with a minnesota pharmaceutical company, is sent to brazil to track down her former mentor, dr. State of wonder by ann patchett book club discussion. Ann patchett is also the author of several other novels, including bel canto, run and state of wonder. 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. 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. Ann patchetts new novel, state of wonder, is her most mature work to date.
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. Ann patchett calls commonwealth her autobiographical first. Marina singh sets off into the amazon jungle to find the remains and. The story begins in early spring in eden prairie, a suburb of the twin cities of minneapolis and st. 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. Annick swenson, who seems to have disappeared in the amazon while working on an extremely valuable new drug. State of wonder is a 2011 novel by american author ann patchett.
May 06, 2012 i get to wake up this discussion out of dormancy. 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. Ann patchetts sixth novel, state of wonder, merges the two kingdoms in the story of a pharmacologist, marina singh, who travels into the amazonian jungle to. I thought that ann patchett had made her great contribution to literature with bel canto. She is the coowner of parnassus books in nashville, tenn.
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