Description:

There were people on the banks of the river. Among thetangled waterways and giant anacondas of the Brazilian Rio Negro,an enigmatic scientist is developing a drug that could alter thelives of women for ever. Dr Annick Swenson’s work is shrouded inmystery; she refuses to report on her progress, especially to herinvestors, whose patience is fast running out. Anders Eckman, amildmannered lab researcher, is sent to investigate. A curt letterreporting his untimely death is all that returns. Now Marina Singh,Anders’ colleague and once a student of the mighty Dr Swenson, istheir last hope. Compelled by the pleas of Anders’s wife, whorefuses to accept that her husband is not coming home, Marinaleaves the snowy plains of Minnesota and retraces her friend’ssteps into the heart of the South American darkness, determined totrack down Dr. Swenson and uncover the secrets being jealouslyguarded among the remotest tribes of the rainforest. What Marinadoes not yet know is that, in this ancient corner of the jungle,where the muddy waters and susurrating grasses hide countlessunknown perils and temptations, she will face challenges beyond herwildest imagination. Marina is no longer the student, but only timewill tell if she has learnt enough. About the Author : Ann Patchett is the author of five previous novels,including Run and Bel Canto, which won the Orange Prize forFiction. She writes for the New York Times Magazine, Elle, GQ, theFinancial Times, the Paris Review and Vogue. She lives inNashville, Tennessee.