State of Wonder

This is a new favorite! Also, my first Ann Patchett novel. Not the last, oh no, not the last...The book starts out with some definite [b:Heart of Darkness 4900 Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328698658s/4900.jpg 2877220] undertones. Dr. Marina Singh and her boss/lover Mr. Fox receive a letter from a rogue scientist studying deep in the Amazonian forest. Mr. Anders has died from a fever. Mr. Anders was a friend and many-year colleague of Dr. Singh, and Mr. Fox and Mrs. Anders convince her to go investigate the rogue researcher Dr. Swenson.And so opens up a fantastic story of Brazil, of medicine, of bohemians, and of love. Add in a few pinches of difficult ethical and moral decision-making, and you've got a recipe to keep you up at night, in terror and awe.Patchett's writing in this novel (and it seems, her other novels) is so musical, so poetic. There are several sentences or paragraphs that I would read over and over because of how they made me feel, sort of like listening to a favorite melody or reading a favorite snippet of poetry. She is an incredible wordsmith.I was never once bored, even though very little action takes place in the book. And the denouement is completely unexpected yet not unbelievable.I'm going to say it: I'm in a state of wonder after reading this novel.