State of Wonder

I like Ann Patchett's writing. When I was looking for books to read on vacation I knew State of Wonder would be perfect.

The setting for most of the story is the Amazon, a place I learned to fear in childhood after watching too many movies featuring poisonous snakes, ferocious beasts, giant insects, quicksand and other perils of the jungle. Researcher Marina Singh is sent there by the pharmaceutical company she works for. Her mission is to follow up on a vague message sent by one of her former professors, the irascible but brilliant Dr. Annick Swenson, informing the company that a colleague of Marina's has died of fever while checking up on Swenson's project in the Amazon jungle. There are many unanswered questions about the man's death and about the progress of Swenson's company funded research. Marina is charged with getting to the bottom of things.

Swenson is a maverick, at first elusive and, once located, imperious and uncooperative. Marina hopes the assignment will be a quick one. She has no wish to remain away from home any longer than is absolutely necessary because she is taking anti-malarial medication that gives her terrifying nightmares. At first Dr. Swenson is anxious to send Marina packing but changes her mind when she realizes Marina's medical background might prove useful.

Swenson is researching a tribe whose females remain fertile all their lives. She is developing a drug that could extend the fertility of women like Marina who is in her forties and has delayed childbearing. Swenson is dedicated to her research. The full extent of her dedication and the nature of her relationship with Marina are revealed quite late in the novel.

At times this Heart of Darkness tale goes over the top - at one point there is hand to hand combat with an anaconda. That said, it raises moral and ethical issues that give the reader plenty of food for thought. It also reinforces my view that the jungle is a terrifying place, best avoided.