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A review by bookwoods
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
5.0
4,5/5
Deep in the Amazon lives a tribe whose women never lose their ability to have children. They were first discovered by a biologist researching fungi, but now, scientists live among them in order to develop a fertility drug. Their leader is Dr. Annick Swenson, a cryptic character whose correspondence to the funding pharmaceutical company has been inadequate. To find out how the drug development is actually proceeding, Swenson’s old student Dr. Marina Singh is sent to Brazil. But that’s not the only thing she needs to investigate. Months before her colleague embarked upon the same mission, later to be declared dead in Swenson’s brief letter.
This book really did put me in a state of wonder. It features such interesting themes: ethical issues within drug development, questions about women’s fertility, problems with current malaria medicine etc. And while those subjects might sound academic and difficult, the novel is very readable. I felt a strong connection to Marina right from the start and the mystery of what is truly happening in the jungle kept me hooked. Biologically, this offers some fascinating visions, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The only thing I wish is for the ending to offer more answers, perhaps through an epilogue. Though honestly, I feel like I’m always wishing for an epilogue - that’s just the kind of reader I am.
Deep in the Amazon lives a tribe whose women never lose their ability to have children. They were first discovered by a biologist researching fungi, but now, scientists live among them in order to develop a fertility drug. Their leader is Dr. Annick Swenson, a cryptic character whose correspondence to the funding pharmaceutical company has been inadequate. To find out how the drug development is actually proceeding, Swenson’s old student Dr. Marina Singh is sent to Brazil. But that’s not the only thing she needs to investigate. Months before her colleague embarked upon the same mission, later to be declared dead in Swenson’s brief letter.
This book really did put me in a state of wonder. It features such interesting themes: ethical issues within drug development, questions about women’s fertility, problems with current malaria medicine etc. And while those subjects might sound academic and difficult, the novel is very readable. I felt a strong connection to Marina right from the start and the mystery of what is truly happening in the jungle kept me hooked. Biologically, this offers some fascinating visions, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The only thing I wish is for the ending to offer more answers, perhaps through an epilogue. Though honestly, I feel like I’m always wishing for an epilogue - that’s just the kind of reader I am.