Although I have not traveled to Manaus, Brazil, when I read Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder, I felt immediately transported to this exotic city, located at the convergence of 2 rivers and the gateway destination to travels on the mighty Amazon.  Ms. Patchett’s writing drew me into a city filled jungle bugs, unbearable heat, and third-world conditions, yet, glaring out with irony and wonder was the majestic classic colonial opera house, the Amazonas Theatre. With a glistening gold leafed interior and Verdi classic being sung, this opera house seems to be quite a contrast to it’s neighboring world of the jungles of the Amazon. State of Wonder is the story…