State of Wonder

I expected to love this book. I wanted to love it. I love Bel Canto and consider it one of my all-time favorites. And it seems like the interwebs are having a virtual love fest for this book, so why not join in?

First, a story. Remember the Barbara Kingsolver novel, The Poisonwood Bible? When it came out, it seemed like everyone was raving about it, so I read it and really liked it too. Until my friend Sandra, who had lived in the Belgian Congo during the book's time period, sounded off about how vastly inaccurate it was, and described in detail all the things that Kingsolver got wrong. I thought then about how, when the reader doesn't know a geographical or historical era, it's much easier to suspend disbelief.

Fast forward to the opening chapters of State of Wonder. Imagine my surprise at having some of the pages take place in Eden Prairie, MN, where I live. Then imagine my dismay when the characters start spending time in "dens" (um, no, in Eden Prairie, we spend time in "family rooms"), or looking out the window at "jungle gyms" in the backyard (um, no, in Eden Prairie, we have "Rainbo Play Systems", or at least swingsets--jungle gyms are on school grounds, not in backyards). The crowner was having the main character head to the "St. Paul Minneapolis Airport." Minor point, maybe, but an easily Google-able one: the airport is called Minneapolis St. Paul Airport. The airport code is MSP.

I'm sure some of you think I'm being too hard on Patchett, but it really got me off to a bad start. No longer able to suspend disbelief, I frowned and snarled at various other small points. The main character, Marina, is having a fling with her boss--but she calls him "Mr. Fox". Really? You've been sleeping with him for a long time, and you still call him Mr.?

Then she's off to the deep dark heart of the Brazilian jungle, a very unnerving place, and yet she sleeps well at night in spite of the frightening creepy-crawlies everywhere?

And the ending--well, no spoilers, but I thought it was rushed and melodramatic and completely out of keeping with the character.

In fact, as long as we're talking about the main character, can I say that I found Marina to be a rather dull choice of lead, when there was someone so interesting as Dr. Swenson? I'd've loved to have the book be from her point of view instead.

I guess the question is, would I have liked the book better if Patchett hadn't botched the Minnesota part right up front, maybe set it somewhere like Kansas where I've never been, so I could buy into it more easily? Maybe. Probably.

It just goes to show, research is key.

Comments

[JoAnn]

I love Ann Patchett, but I'm afraid those inaccuracies would be hard for me to overlook, too. Thankfully, Minnesota gaffes won't have an impact on my enjoyment... just hope she never messes with Syracuse ;-)

[Terri Smith]

Saw your comment on about this book in response to my review in Minnesota Reads and came here to read your review. I think we agree totally. (I didn't notice the MSP part while I was reading.) I think the pacing and the characters were so off that it wouldn't matter if she got EP right. And, was there some symbolism in calling her lover "Mr.?" Maybe I should be more respectful and call my husband to whom I've been married most of my life Mr. Smith. (kidding.)