Having enjoyed Patchett’s Bel Canto, I was looking forward to enjoying another book by her.
Not quite sure I did.
The blurb
“Among the tangled waterways and giant anacondas of the Brazilian Rio Negro, an enigmatic scientist is developing a drug that could alter the lives of women for ever. Dr Annick Swenson's work is shrouded in mystery; she refuses to report on her progress, especially to her investors, whose patience is fast running out. Anders Eckman, a mild-mannered lab researcher, is sent to investigate. A curt letter reporting his untimely death is all that returns. Now Marina Singh, Anders' colleague and once a student of the mighty Dr Swenson, is their last hope. Compelled by the pleas of Anders's wife, who refuses to accept that her husband is not coming home, Marina leaves the snowy plains of Minnesota and retraces her friend's steps into the heart of the South American darkness, determined to track down Dr. Swenson and uncover the secrets being jealously guarded among the remotest tribes of the rainforest. What Marina does not yet know is that, in this ancient corner of the jungle, where the muddy waters and susurrating grasses hide countless unknown perils and temptations, she will face challenges beyond her wildest imagination. Marina is no longer the student, but only time will tell if she has learnt enough.”
The Plot
I have to commend Patchett for her inventive plots. Her novels are rooted in original ideas and this one is no different. There is always a sense of reading something very different, a story that is unique and interesting, simply because you can't remember hearing or reading about anything like it. As a writer, I am always curious about the genesis of ideas, and clearly, Patchett allows the real world to interact with her thoughts, and leaves herself open for inspiration to strike from life.
Beginning with the blurb itself, the novel promises something different, and it delivers on that front. It's an interesting premise - a mysterious death in a foreign land, a reluctant scientist sent to investigate both the death as well as progress on a miracle drug. There are twist and turns along the way with a big one at the end.
Of course, one does have to suspend disbelief, especially with some of the ecological and scientific concepts that make up the plot of the book. The idea of not just one, but two miracle cures, both occurring in the same place is far fetched, to say the least.
The Characters
None of the characters in the book are particularly likeable, which is not a fault in and off itself, but it would help to have at least one character the reader can relate to. The protagonist, Marina Singh has an interesting backstory and a solid story arc, showing how she grows and changes along the course of the novel. That she falls short of realising this promise is mainly due to her characterisation. She comes across as tentative, and reactionary, rather than dynamic. She takes a satellite phone from her 20 year older boss who’s also her boyfriend and then loses it. She throws away her anti-malarial medication and then goes looking for it again. She doesn't demonstrate the empathy that allows us to empathise with her in any way. Her decisions, both professional and personal seem coerced, without a spirit of self-determination.
I rather enjoyed the character of Dr. Swenson more, even though she’s not particularly likeable either. She is bold and feisty, and her take-no-prisoner attitude leaps off the page. Unfortunately, this only succeeds in making the protagonist look even more mousy.
The other characters do their job, some better than others. I do not understand the use of the two Australian bohemians who act as gatekeepers for Dr. Swenson. They came across as caricatures at best and redundant at worst. The dead scientist’s wife had a nice cameo in the scenes in the beginning of the book, which were, to my mind, the most well written part of the book.
The Setting
Patchett seems to like exotic, foreign settings. This time, it is a journey from the wintry landscapes of Minnesota to the sultry, steamy Amazon. Her descriptions of the town, as well as the jungle and the experience of living there, among the Lakashi tribe, are very immersive. The setting might just be the one likeable character in the book.
Structure and Pacing
The novel is written in a chronological narrative, with occasional flashbacks and internal monologues. This structure works well. There is, however, to my mind, a bit of a pacing problem. After a great start, the book languishes a little in the middle when Marina gets to Manaus and tries to locate the whereabouts of Dr. Swenson. This part could have done with some tighter editing, as after a while, you get tired of reading about her reactions to the place and you want the story to get going. It does so eventually and the last third races by with twists and turns. The middle could be the part where a reader gives up on finishing the book.
Style
Patchett has some lovely phrasing, especially in the beginning scenes. Some lines that stood out for me were :
“There was no one clear point of loss. It happened over and over again in a thousand small ways and the only truth there was to learn was that there was no getting used to it”
“This single sheet had traveled from Brazil to Minnesota to mark the passing of a man, a breath of tissue so insubstantial that only the stamp seemed to anchor it to this world.”
“The dog would have to stand in for their minister if they had one. The dog would be Karen’s mother, her sister, whoever it was she wished was standing next to her when everything came down. The dog would have to be Anders.”
“There had to be an equation for probability and proof. At some point probability becomes so great it eclipses the need for proof, although maybe not if it was your husband.”
Themes
Patchett has mentioned how this is her re-telling of the Joseph Conrad “Heart of Darkness” quest story. The book deals with several themes - ecology and the environment and man’s impact on it, the ethics of the pharmaceutical industry, fertility, the whole idea of science and scientific discovery and development, anthropological issues, the issue of progress and medical ethics
Overall, I’d have to say, for me, this cycled through a State of Intrigue, which moved rapidly through Annoyance and then briefly, back up to Interest again towards the end.
I don’t think I achieved a State of Wonder. But I’m not banning Patchett from my reading list just yet.