The last quarter of the book merits 4 stars.

Through parts of this book, I felt like Marina wandering down the river and through the jungle. Where are we going? Just as Marina had to trust people she meets along the way, I had to trust Ann Patchett. The book did throw me a few surprises even after telegraphing a few events. (When Marina put her global cell phone into her checked luggage, I just knew that bag was going to get lost.)

Looking forward to discussion with book club!