--- product_id: 16715092 title: "State of Wonder" price: "€ 21.04" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.at/products/16715092-state-of-wonder store_origin: AT region: Austria --- # State of Wonder **Price:** € 21.04 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** State of Wonder - **How much does it cost?** € 21.04 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.at](https://www.desertcart.at/products/16715092-state-of-wonder) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description “A nail-biting narrative, setting stark human dilemmas against a lush, exotic backdrop.”— People “Extraordinary. . . . Nothing is as it seems, and the ending is as shocking as it’s satisfying.” — Boston Globe From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ann Patchett, a provocative and assured novel of morality and miracles, science and sacrifice set in the desertcart rainforest In a narrative replete with poison arrows, devouring snakes, scientific miracles, and spiritual transformations, State of Wonder presents a world of stunning surprise and danger, rich in emotional resonance and moral complexity. As Dr. Marina Singh embarks upon an uncertain odyssey into the insect-infested desertcart, she's forced to surrender herself to the lush but forbidding world that awaits within the jungle. Charged with finding her former mentor Dr. Annick Swenson, a researcher who has disappeared while working on a valuable new drug, she will have to confront her own memories of tragedy and sacrifice as she journeys into the unforgiving heart of darkness. Stirring and luminous, State of Wonder is a world unto itself, where unlikely beauty stands beside unimaginable loss beneath the rain forest's jeweled canopy. Patchett delivers a gripping adventure story and a profound look at the difficult choices we make in the name of discovery and love. Review: Another Patchett brava performance - An author who has written a novel as luminous as "Bel Canto" creates a problem, both for herself and the reader. The author has created such a difficult high standard, the reader hopes for an equally engaging reading experience in all subsequent books. The stage is set for disappointment. Thus, even a very good book such as "Run" can result in vague reader disappointment. So, I approached "State of Wonder" girded for a similar reaction, especially in light of mixed reviews both from literary critics and from friends who had read it before I. As I got into the story, it engaged me somewhat, but I was well into the tale before I felt the same amazement and admiration of the author's skill as I had with "Bel Canto." Deep into the story, I began to see again what is for me Ms. Patchett's greatest talent. That talent is her ability to deal with serious life issues in a highly tolerant way, in a way that invites the reader to see the shades of gray, the nuances, in the life issues being presented. Just as in "Bel Canto," Patchett does this in "State of Wonder" primarily by making her characters very human in a way that allows the reader to "see through" their own initial reactions and judgments. For example, one may initially see the Bovenders as entirely frivolous and insubstantial. Yet, as the story unfolds one is lead to understand that at least Barbara has substance and qualities that soften the earlier prejudice. Marina may seem initially as weak-willed, easily manipulated, and afraid. Yet, as the story unfolds, the reader incrementally is led to understand Barbara's strengths and admirable attributes. Such subtle unfolding of character requires a writer of both great writing skill and a highly refined, non-judgmental understanding of human nature and psychology. To me the best example in the novel is Ms. Patchett's development of Dr. Swenson. In so many ways, Dr. Swenson is unlikeable and easily subject to quick reader condemnation for her apparent coldness, detachment, lack of feeling, and deception. Yet, as the story moves forward, it reveals her at a deeper level -- her motivations, her relationships with Easter and Marina, and her subjective experience with her pregnancy. Through Ms. Patchett's writing skill, the reader can begin to look at Dr. Swenson in a different light. Her self assuredness is punctured, and the reader is able to view her more humanely. One sees that the cold scientist is also subject to human emotions -- such as the non-rational aspects of the human mother's tie with the child, even an adopted one. One sees that Dr. Swenson's "argument" why Easter must stay in the jungle is simply a rational, intellectual assessment overlaying (one is tempted to say "hiding") the more fundamental human motivation of the "mother" to have the child stay, indeed stay with her. One sees beyond the intellectual argument to the underlying human need and love. Viewed literally, this story is quite unrealistic and perhaps may seem off-putting in the extreme to the literal minded. To criticize the novel on that score, however, misses the mark. One great purpose of fiction is to teach us about life, about what it truly means to "be human." The magic of great fiction is that an imagined story -- even one that tests credulity in some respects -- can accomplish that important and grand purpose better than a more realistic recitation of "the facts" out of which the imagination and skill of the fiction writer has woven the tale. I, for one, applaud Patchett, the skillful nuance of her art, and this engaging and human story. Her "gift of craft" gives us the gift of this story. Review: It Made Me "Wonder" - While I found "Bel Canto" very engrossing, the descriptions and snippets of reviews of Patchett's subsequent work kept me on the sidelines. However, "State of Wonder" received some great advance reviews, and given the subject matter of the novel, I decided to give it was worth a shot. While I do have some small quibbles, overall, Patchett creates a gripping novel, focusing on contemporary cultural, gender and scientific issues. At the center of the novel are Dr. Marina Singh, a pharmacologist and her former teacher and mentor at Johns Hopkins medical school Annick Swenson. Swenson works for the same company as Marina, Vogel, and has been in Brazil pursuing a fertility drug based on biological abnormalities among the women of an indigenous Brazilian tribe, the Lakashi. Marina heads to Brazil to find her former mentor after the death of fellow Vogel and research colleague Anders Eckman fails to return from a similar expedition and Vogel's CEO Mr. Fox receives a letter from Dr. Swenson informing them of his death. Beyond that, I'll avoid much more on plot and focus on what I liked (a lot) and didn't like (a little) about "State of Wonder". One key area of "State of Wonder" that I found trite was the "secretive" relationship between Marina and the CEO, Mr. Fox. This relationship was the most forced part of the book. Patchett hadn't convinced me by the end of the book that there was a deep and credible emotional connection between the Singh and Fox. While Patchett did a wonderful job developing the characters of Singh and Swenson, as well as Anders Eckman, she short-changed the other doctors that were also with Swenson n the Brazilian jungle. This seemed to come at the expense to wrapping up a quick conclusion, rather than building more human and personal drama. Finally, the concluding scene in Brazil was disappointing and seemed the easy way out for Patchett. On the flip side, there were several brilliant aspects to the novel. First, Patchett brings along the rain forest of Brazil in such vivid detail, she'll have you smacking flies away from yourself and checking around to make sure snakes and spiders aren't crawling around near you. From the town of Manaus to the river tributaries, "State of Wonder" beautifully renders such a unique and different environment in beatiful prose. Additionally, Patchett brings the reader closer to indigenous people and cultures without ever being politically correct or modernly dismissive. We get to understand the Lakashi about as well as Dr. Singh does and not much more than Dr. Swenson does in spite of the many years she's lived among their tribe. Finally, Patchett tackles the topic of big pharma, the search for the next billion dollar drug, the consequences of drugs that push the boundaries of human biology and development of drugs for 3rd world diseases and countries. I didn't read this book hoping there was validity in the science --- the reality of the "science" in the book was irrelevant -- but for the broader themes and just a gripping read and I certainly got what I wanted. While Patchett poses no easy moral or ethical solutions for her characters in the novel, her novel raises important issues science and our world is confronting today. Ultimately, this book reminded me of Ishiguro's "Never Let Me Go" in many ways. Few author's are as deft with language as he is, but Patchett weaves an impressive, entertaining and thought-provoking novel of her own. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #5,807 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #3 in Environmental Economics (Books) #4 in Medical Fiction (Books) #7 in Political Fiction (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 14,516 Reviews | ## Images ![State of Wonder - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91I96EjGARL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Media Language, Media Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Another Patchett brava performance *by T***E on August 10, 2011* An author who has written a novel as luminous as "Bel Canto" creates a problem, both for herself and the reader. The author has created such a difficult high standard, the reader hopes for an equally engaging reading experience in all subsequent books. The stage is set for disappointment. Thus, even a very good book such as "Run" can result in vague reader disappointment. So, I approached "State of Wonder" girded for a similar reaction, especially in light of mixed reviews both from literary critics and from friends who had read it before I. As I got into the story, it engaged me somewhat, but I was well into the tale before I felt the same amazement and admiration of the author's skill as I had with "Bel Canto." Deep into the story, I began to see again what is for me Ms. Patchett's greatest talent. That talent is her ability to deal with serious life issues in a highly tolerant way, in a way that invites the reader to see the shades of gray, the nuances, in the life issues being presented. Just as in "Bel Canto," Patchett does this in "State of Wonder" primarily by making her characters very human in a way that allows the reader to "see through" their own initial reactions and judgments. For example, one may initially see the Bovenders as entirely frivolous and insubstantial. Yet, as the story unfolds one is lead to understand that at least Barbara has substance and qualities that soften the earlier prejudice. Marina may seem initially as weak-willed, easily manipulated, and afraid. Yet, as the story unfolds, the reader incrementally is led to understand Barbara's strengths and admirable attributes. Such subtle unfolding of character requires a writer of both great writing skill and a highly refined, non-judgmental understanding of human nature and psychology. To me the best example in the novel is Ms. Patchett's development of Dr. Swenson. In so many ways, Dr. Swenson is unlikeable and easily subject to quick reader condemnation for her apparent coldness, detachment, lack of feeling, and deception. Yet, as the story moves forward, it reveals her at a deeper level -- her motivations, her relationships with Easter and Marina, and her subjective experience with her pregnancy. Through Ms. Patchett's writing skill, the reader can begin to look at Dr. Swenson in a different light. Her self assuredness is punctured, and the reader is able to view her more humanely. One sees that the cold scientist is also subject to human emotions -- such as the non-rational aspects of the human mother's tie with the child, even an adopted one. One sees that Dr. Swenson's "argument" why Easter must stay in the jungle is simply a rational, intellectual assessment overlaying (one is tempted to say "hiding") the more fundamental human motivation of the "mother" to have the child stay, indeed stay with her. One sees beyond the intellectual argument to the underlying human need and love. Viewed literally, this story is quite unrealistic and perhaps may seem off-putting in the extreme to the literal minded. To criticize the novel on that score, however, misses the mark. One great purpose of fiction is to teach us about life, about what it truly means to "be human." The magic of great fiction is that an imagined story -- even one that tests credulity in some respects -- can accomplish that important and grand purpose better than a more realistic recitation of "the facts" out of which the imagination and skill of the fiction writer has woven the tale. I, for one, applaud Patchett, the skillful nuance of her art, and this engaging and human story. Her "gift of craft" gives us the gift of this story. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ It Made Me "Wonder" *by W***O on June 22, 2011* While I found "Bel Canto" very engrossing, the descriptions and snippets of reviews of Patchett's subsequent work kept me on the sidelines. However, "State of Wonder" received some great advance reviews, and given the subject matter of the novel, I decided to give it was worth a shot. While I do have some small quibbles, overall, Patchett creates a gripping novel, focusing on contemporary cultural, gender and scientific issues. At the center of the novel are Dr. Marina Singh, a pharmacologist and her former teacher and mentor at Johns Hopkins medical school Annick Swenson. Swenson works for the same company as Marina, Vogel, and has been in Brazil pursuing a fertility drug based on biological abnormalities among the women of an indigenous Brazilian tribe, the Lakashi. Marina heads to Brazil to find her former mentor after the death of fellow Vogel and research colleague Anders Eckman fails to return from a similar expedition and Vogel's CEO Mr. Fox receives a letter from Dr. Swenson informing them of his death. Beyond that, I'll avoid much more on plot and focus on what I liked (a lot) and didn't like (a little) about "State of Wonder". One key area of "State of Wonder" that I found trite was the "secretive" relationship between Marina and the CEO, Mr. Fox. This relationship was the most forced part of the book. Patchett hadn't convinced me by the end of the book that there was a deep and credible emotional connection between the Singh and Fox. While Patchett did a wonderful job developing the characters of Singh and Swenson, as well as Anders Eckman, she short-changed the other doctors that were also with Swenson n the Brazilian jungle. This seemed to come at the expense to wrapping up a quick conclusion, rather than building more human and personal drama. Finally, the concluding scene in Brazil was disappointing and seemed the easy way out for Patchett. On the flip side, there were several brilliant aspects to the novel. First, Patchett brings along the rain forest of Brazil in such vivid detail, she'll have you smacking flies away from yourself and checking around to make sure snakes and spiders aren't crawling around near you. From the town of Manaus to the river tributaries, "State of Wonder" beautifully renders such a unique and different environment in beatiful prose. Additionally, Patchett brings the reader closer to indigenous people and cultures without ever being politically correct or modernly dismissive. We get to understand the Lakashi about as well as Dr. Singh does and not much more than Dr. Swenson does in spite of the many years she's lived among their tribe. Finally, Patchett tackles the topic of big pharma, the search for the next billion dollar drug, the consequences of drugs that push the boundaries of human biology and development of drugs for 3rd world diseases and countries. I didn't read this book hoping there was validity in the science --- the reality of the "science" in the book was irrelevant -- but for the broader themes and just a gripping read and I certainly got what I wanted. While Patchett poses no easy moral or ethical solutions for her characters in the novel, her novel raises important issues science and our world is confronting today. Ultimately, this book reminded me of Ishiguro's "Never Let Me Go" in many ways. Few author's are as deft with language as he is, but Patchett weaves an impressive, entertaining and thought-provoking novel of her own. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enticing and Riveting *by G***A on September 15, 2026* From the beginning the characters come alive and the plot quickly thickens. So many characters to become attached to with novel qualities and human limitations. The jungle is vivid and one of the protagonist becomes familiar almost at once. An eventful and action filled read which is hard to put down. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.at/products/16715092-state-of-wonder](https://www.desertcart.at/products/16715092-state-of-wonder) --- *Product available on Desertcart Austria* *Store origin: AT* *Last updated: 2026-10-20*