tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post1084163806734086289..comments2023-05-04T08:28:44.100-04:00Comments on Bookworm Meets Bookworm: A Review: State of Wonder by Ann PatchettBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05572049077903171939noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-56096426202399759662012-05-23T10:10:51.083-04:002012-05-23T10:10:51.083-04:00I found a lot of the book interesting and enjoyed ...I found a lot of the book interesting and enjoyed the different settings (MN lab, the city in Brazil, the remote location of the tribe). I thought the places were well-developed, at times moreso than the characters. I also found the research topic interesting and it raised some good questions about what we should and shouldn't do physically and about the complexities of research funding. The prose was easy to read but I didn't find it as engaging as I found Patchett's work in Bel Canto. I tend to be a reader of characters and style and felt more like this was a plot book....nothing wrong with that, just not my style.<br /><br />So, through most of the book it was a solid like but definitely not a love, which put it in 3.5 stars territory. However, I really didn't like the way the ending went. It felt like the author rushed to wrap it up neatly in 20 pages and just did so to make it all clean and "complete." I tend to prefer messier endings. So, it got rounded down to 3. It's an easy read and I'd encourage folks to read it if they want a book that's easy but does have depth to the story and raises issues worth talking about.Luxembourghttp://rantofimitation.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-3518921122427099222012-04-16T08:57:14.004-04:002012-04-16T08:57:14.004-04:00Andi,
I would agree that there is certainly some t...Andi,<br />I would agree that there is certainly some tension. Dr. Nasty has got a sharp tongue. The name's hilarious. For the most part, I really REALLY really enjoyed it.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05572049077903171939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-21672790411489300552012-04-15T10:24:18.202-04:002012-04-15T10:24:18.202-04:00I had some mixed feelings about this one overall, ...I had some mixed feelings about this one overall, but I did think Patchett did an admirable job setting up the tension between Marina and Dr. Nasty (my pet name for her). :DAndihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05220718933942181809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-5238281630523471722012-04-10T10:03:32.002-04:002012-04-10T10:03:32.002-04:00Carrie,
I picked this one up on account of your re...Carrie,<br />I picked this one up on account of your review and loved it! I need to find more readers so that I can discuss the ending as well! I'm thinking of finding her other work from the library after I tackle some of the stuff I have checked out now.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05572049077903171939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-15948814083558690892012-04-10T10:02:21.379-04:002012-04-10T10:02:21.379-04:00Yes, I really loved State of Wonder, but I've ...Yes, I really loved State of Wonder, but I've heard that many were disappointed. I'd be interested to see what you think if you decide to pick it up!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05572049077903171939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-8036607777594921782012-04-09T14:38:56.939-04:002012-04-09T14:38:56.939-04:00I'm so glad you enjoyed this one despite your ...I'm so glad you enjoyed this one despite your feelings about the ending! I think many people have those same feelings, and my oldest best friends and I had a thrilling discussion about it over email. I need to get back into my Patchett groove and read the rest of her backlist too, as I've loved both of her novels that I've read.nomadreaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04795144320842413060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-10408070623921842542012-03-31T10:36:15.016-04:002012-03-31T10:36:15.016-04:00I haven't read anything by Patchett, so I'...I haven't read anything by Patchett, so I'm excited to hear this is the one to get! I've seen this book around and read the summary but couldn't tell if I'd like it. A good review from you means it's definitely getting added to my list!Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11894280457253592167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-86846685974906166312012-03-29T19:22:45.462-04:002012-03-29T19:22:45.462-04:00Anne,
I think it's a great pick for a book clu...Anne,<br />I think it's a great pick for a book club discussion. Especially the bits about human reproduction later in life and cures to known diseases and the ways this would affect our world. If you do choose it, please share with me!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05572049077903171939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-88402050251900494792012-03-29T16:03:19.937-04:002012-03-29T16:03:19.937-04:00My book club was considering this one - I wasn'...My book club was considering this one - I wasn't so sure at first, but now you've got me interested! A good storyteller sells me on a book, and it's kind of fun to venture out into such different subject matter sometimes too.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13889053991942318298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-70367729556577458462012-03-29T16:02:23.562-04:002012-03-29T16:02:23.562-04:00Oh Sam,
I can't wait to read your review. Whi...Oh Sam, <br />I can't wait to read your review. While there were moments of eye-rolling, the story was just so good. I hope you enjoy!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05572049077903171939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-19375157063167698992012-03-29T16:01:26.093-04:002012-03-29T16:01:26.093-04:00Col,
I definitely think there is much to discuss ...Col, <br />I definitely think there is much to discuss with this one. I'll be interested to see what the group thinks. I loved it! Hope you enjoy too!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05572049077903171939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-54443388525229891132012-03-29T15:56:26.222-04:002012-03-29T15:56:26.222-04:00I'm so excited to read this one for the Orange...I'm so excited to read this one for the Orange Prize longlist. I own it, so it'll have to wait until I finish up the ones I already have checked out of the library.<br /><br />I find Ann Patchett intimidating too, but I hope I find the reading experience as pleasurable as you did :)Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-22302932186929509002012-03-29T15:14:32.390-04:002012-03-29T15:14:32.390-04:00I'm so glad you liked this Beth. We're put...I'm so glad you liked this Beth. We're putting together suggestions for next year's book club reading, and I was planning to put this on my list. Now it's a definite! Thanks for the review.Col (Col Reads)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03136923310179832040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-59015579336465784182012-03-29T12:46:51.220-04:002012-03-29T12:46:51.220-04:00Brenna,
I really do hope you enjoy it- I'd fee...Brenna,<br />I really do hope you enjoy it- I'd feel terrible if you didn't. There was just something about it that really worked for me. It could have been that the subject matter was just so entirely different than what I feel like I've been reading lately. I think I may avoid Bel Canto and try The Magician's Assistant instead.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05572049077903171939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-83660681801558385462012-03-29T12:33:19.283-04:002012-03-29T12:33:19.283-04:00Okay I'm sold. Like I told you on twitter, Bel...Okay I'm sold. Like I told you on twitter, Bel Canto really didn't do it for me but I did find her prose to be incredibly beautiful. I've wanted to give her a try again but wasn't really sure which book. I think I found it! Thanks for the great review, Beth.Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10780185535345559390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-54353881637633511052012-03-29T11:20:11.122-04:002012-03-29T11:20:11.122-04:00Lorren,
I think that you'll definitely enjoy t...Lorren,<br />I think that you'll definitely enjoy this one! I can't wait to see your review.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05572049077903171939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8980093669604155928.post-63130106042025754392012-03-29T10:35:33.577-04:002012-03-29T10:35:33.577-04:00I've only read one Ann Patchett, but I really ...I've only read one Ann Patchett, but I really love her style. This sounds like it would be right up my alley.LLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11194834748090369779noreply@blogger.com