In State of Wonder,  Patchett takes the reader into the primitive world of the Amazon in Brazil. MarinaSingh gave up a career as a doctor after botching an emergency delivery as anintern, opting instead for the more orderly world of research for apharmaceutical company. While trying to locate a rogue scientist, Dr. AnnickSwenson, Marina’s  colleague and friend,  Anders Eckman, is reported to have died in thejungle. Marina isasked by her company’s CEO to locate his body and communicate with themysterious and uncommunicative Dr. Swenson. The doctor has been working on afertility drug  by studying the Lakashipeople, whose women bear children into old age.  Marina’s search is fraught with poisonous snakesand poisonous memories, malarial mosquitoes and sickening losses, but her timeamong the Lakashi tribe is transformative. Patchett exhibits an extraordinaryability to bring the horrors and the wonders of the Amazon jungle to life, andher singular characters are wonderfully drawn.  Part scientific thriller,part engaging personal odyssey, “State of Wonder” is a suspensefuljungle adventure with an unexpected ending and other assorted surprises.