Publisher: Harper
Publication date: June 7, 2011
Hardcover: 368 pages
Price: $26.99
On the library stacks: Adult fiction
Ann Patchett's website.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Marina Singh is a pharmacologist at a Minnesota-based pharmaceutical company. She receives word that her officemate, Anders Eckman, has died of a fever in the Amazonian jungle of Brazil when he went to determine the status of a drug in development. Anders' wife, Karen, begs Marina to go down to Brazil to determine that Anders is really and truly dead and to bring home his belongings.
Mr. Fox, the company CEO and Marina's lover, also asks Marina to go to Brazil to try to reign in the rogue researcher, Annick Swenson. Marina was a student of Dr. Swenson's when she was a resident in obstetrics, but switched to pharmacology after an accident. Their shared history makes Marina hesitant to go, but an attractive choice since she knows the woman in question.
Once in Brazil, Marina meets a wonderful cast of characters including the driver, the bohemians who live in Annick's apartment, the Lakashi tribe whom the researchers work among, a deaf boy who comes from a neighboring cannibalistic tribe, and the indomitable Dr. Swenson. Marina is ultimately able to face her fears from the past, grow and develop as a woman and as a doctor, and to find the truth through the intricate web of lies and ethical dilemmas.
I enjoyed Marina's emotional journey as much as her eye-opening physical journey and survival in Brazil. I thought Marina was a very sympathetic protagonist and someone I would like as a friend. When I set the book down, I couldn't stop thinking about it and couldn't wait to get back to it. The novel held together so well for me, despite some far-fetched coincidences, until the last 5 pages. At that point, I wish I had just stopped reading because those final pages undid so much of what was woven together for me so beautifully in the story. However, I still highly recommend this novel. This may be my first Ann Patchett novel, but it definitely won't be my last.
Check out these reviews: Life In Review ~ The Lost Entwife ~ nomadreader ~ Regular Rumination ~ Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books
Look for these reviews coming soon: Reading on a Rainy Day ~ Bibliophiliac ~ Library of Clean Reads ~ The Road to Here ~ A Bookish Way of Life ~ Book Hooked Blog ~ Diary of a Stay at Home Mom ~ Wordsmithonia ~ Steph and Tony Investigate ~ The Little Reader ~ I’m Booking It ~ MariReads
5 comments:
Bel Canto got such RAVE reviews...but I only got thru about 50 pages before I gave up. I thought it was so far fetched. I've been tempted by this book...but having been burned once, not sure if I'm willing -- especially after your "last 5 page" declaration!
Oh no, sorry the ending disappointed you. I hope to read this one soon.
I love when a book sticks with me long after I close the cover. I have yet to read any of this author's books (I do own Bel Canto though!) ... sounds like I'm missing some amazing writing.
Thanks for being on the tour!
I have been scared to read this author. Seriously it is always like this for m with all the famous authors. I am wondering if I will ever read her :(
I won this on a blog recently and am looking forward to it. I read Bel Canto and enjoyed it, but didn't love it. Pratchett's writing is beautiful though.
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