State of Wonder

My book club chose to read Ann Patchett's "State of Wonder" for our January selection.  I really liked Patchett's novel, "Bel Canto", when I read it years ago, so I was excited to read another book of hers.

This one did not disappoint either.

I had borrowed a copy from my local library, but I couldn't read it fast enough so I ended up buying it on audible.com so that I could listen to it ALL THE TIME until I had finished it. 

There were some things near the end that I really wasn't happy about, but after a few days of thinking about it, I think that those additions were in perfect Ann Patchett form:  keep you thinking about the characters long after the book ends.  I had read one review that said the ending was perhaps intentional by the author because it leaves the reader in "a state of wonder".  I like that perspective.

I don't want to go into too much detail and be a big spoiler, but one part keeps returning to my thoughts so I have to write about it.

There is a young character in the book, a boy, who has somehow become part of this family of characters, but his existence is very mysterious.  Where exactly did he come from? Is anyone looking for him?  Does anyone miss him?  You find out near the end that yes, in fact, someone does miss him.  I was so sad when he returned to his real family because I so wanted him to stay and be happy with his current family. I could envision the possibilities for his future if his new family made the right choices.

But what troubled me most was the gnawing question:  Why did I feel so sad?  This boy, who had been missing from his family, was returned to his family.  Isn't that great news?  In the media today, yes, that would be great news!  I cried and cheered when Elizabeth Smart was found and returned to her family.  I watched the news in a state of shock when Jaycee Dugard was finally found alive. I cried when other children were found, but were never to return alive to their own families.  So why wasn't I happy that this little boy was returned to his family? 

I think the main reason is that, as a reader of this work of fiction, I did not know that there was a family searching and missing this boy.  I did not hear any tearful pleas to bring their child home.  I did not see pictures of a happy family who was missing one of their own.  I only saw a picture in my mind of this fictitious family, of this little boy, of his potential future, and I attached to them and wanted them to stay together always. 

This book, for me, demonstrates the power of the media and imagery.  Attaching a human connection to any news report goes a long way in my memory.  I can be moved to feel one way or another based on the images I am shown, the story I hear and believe, and the hope I have for the outcome.

Kinda makes me wish I could be a reporter.  To tell a story and make you believe it.  That is a powerful position to hold.

For now, however, I am happy to listen to the storyteller and make a choice on how to respond.  And, in the case of fiction, I can sit back and enjoy the story for what it is:  a moving piece of literature.