Published August 20, 2012, last updated on April 29, 2013
First-year students at Duke are getting a dose of global health in “State of Wonder” - this year’s official summer reading book. Ann Patchett’s novel traces the steps of a 42-year-old pharmacologist whose work takes her to a Brazilian jungle. David Boyd, associate professor of the practice of global health at the Duke Global Health Institute, highlights the book’s importance for global health and medical research ethics in this video.
Learn more about the novel from Duke Libraries’ Summer Reading Resource Guide and DukeReads, Duke’s alumni reading program.
Participate in campus-wide “State of Wonder” activities!
- Author Presentation with Ann Patchett: “State of Wonder” is part of Duke Orientation Week, which will include a visit by the author this Friday, August 24, at 10am and again at 2pm. A live webcast will be available during the 10am event.
- Small group discussions: Immediately following both author talks (at 11am and 3pm), on the lawn around Page Auditorium. Upper-class Duke students will facilitate small group discussions.
- A Night at the Nasher: This Saturday, August 26, 9pm-11pm, join in for an elegant social at the Nasher Museum of Art, including a thematic art instillation inspired by State of Wonder.
- DGHI Journal Club: On Tuesday, September 11, 12-1pm, in Trent 124, the focus will be on ethics in global health.
- Social media: Follow @DukeOrientation and @DukeGHI on Twitter to discuss the book. Also join the Facebook “State of Wonder” Forum.
- Get your DGHI “State of Wonder” bookmark at Friday’s Author Presentation event or next week at Trent Hall.
