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Search - Bel Canto
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Book Description:
Somewhere in South America, at the home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful Japanese businessman. Roxanne Coss, opera's most revered soprano, has mesmerized the international guests with her singing. It is a perfect evening -- until a band of gun-wielding terrorists breaks in through the air-conditioning vents and takes the entire party hostage. But what begins as a panicked, life-threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different, as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds and people from different countries and continents become compatriots.Friendship, compassion, and the chance for great love lead the characters to forget the real danger that has been set in motion and cannot be stopped.
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Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Paperback, Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio CD, Hardcover
Top Member Reviews
Leigh P. (
12 member(s) found this review helpful.
The writing and plot certainly kept me going and made me want to finish, but as others have stated, the ending fell flat. Just as the ending can ruin the most beautiful piece of music, this did. It put me off of Patchett for a while, as I felt the end and epilogue were tacked on ... but for no reason I could possibly think of. Made me consider the rest of the story "unreal" in retrospect.
Pat M. from ORADELL, NJ wrote on 5/7/2007...
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
Delightful story of a hostage crisis in which South American, American and Japanese visitors all learn to survive together, and the surprising relationaships that form in this vacuum without normal cultural barriers. Very suspenseful and emotional. Different from anything else you will read.
Trisha D. from OREGON, WI wrote on 5/24/2007...
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
A warm and poignant story despite it's unlikely plot -- a group of diplomats and distinguished guests of the president of a south american country are taken hostage by a group of terrorists. In the course of the novel we come to understand what motivates people's deepest yearnings and desires, and to care very much about the characters we are meeting.
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
Unusual and facinating study of fear, accommodation and communication. There is nothing ordinary about Bel Canto.
The story opens at a diplomatic event in a third world country - a birthday party for the head of a Japanese electronics giant, featuring a world-renowned soprano and attended by a Who's Who of local politicians and international financiers and businessmen. When terrorists take the gathering hostage but can't find the president of the country (who is home watching his favorite soap opera), they are nonplussed.
The weeks-long hostage situation forms the basis for Patchett's story, and it's worth the time.
MaryAnn L. from WINDHAM, ME wrote on 5/11/2007...
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Really well written, beautiful. An enjoyable but not too long of a read. I highly recommend it.
Jody E. from MT PLEASANT, SC wrote on 4/9/2007...
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
I love this story! A beautifully written tale that combines art, music and politics- it is spellbinding.
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Very well-written, and very interesting. Wanted to listen to opera after finishing this book.
Dhyani T. from KANEOHE, HI wrote on 3/29/2007...
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Although the reality in Ann Patchett's novel is quite grim, it is full of moments of unexpected tenderness. This is the dichotomy that she works with, creating a fascinating read.
Ron U. from COLUMBUS, GA wrote on 10/11/2006...
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Outstanding. Based on true story of an abduction in South America, this gripping novel opens the doors to the worlds of opera, a rich industrialist, a working class translator, and a crew of desparate rebels.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
After reading the Magician's Assistant, I found this book disappointing...it just didn't do it for me but I will read her another book by this author.
Rate These Member Reviews
Brooke B. from MILL CREEK, WA wrote on 11/6/2008...I have to say, I had a hard time getting through this book. I finished it, but it was a tough read.
Molly M. (I really enjoyed this authors descriptions. This is the type of crowd you wouldn't mind being held captive with.
This book was okay but I find all of Patchett's books strange. This one was no different. I didn't hate it but it made no impression on me whatsoever.
did not like...did not hold my interest not sure why I even wanted to read this?
this is a well written story of politics and love taking place in a foreign country mixing characters from many differnet backgrounds.
Amy S. from ELIZABETHTOWN, PA wrote on 7/9/2007...Somewhere in South America at the home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of the powerful businessman Mr. Hosokawa. Roxanne Coss, opera's most revered soprano, has mesmerized the international guests with her singing. It is a perfect evening - until a band of gun-wielding terrorists takes the entire party hostage.
Somewhere in South America, at the home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of the powerful businessman Mr. Hosokawa. Roxanne Coss, opera's most revered soprano, has mesmerized the international guests with her singing. It is a perfect evening- until a band of gun-wielding terrorists takes the entire party hostage. But what begins as a panicked, life threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different, a moment of great beauty, as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds.
Osa O. from ELLICOTT CITY, MD wrote on 8/27/2006...An absorbing novel about what happens when, in the midst of a hostage situation complete strangers bond.
Laura L. (Story of a group taken hostage by South American militants after a lavish banquet at the vice president's mansion.
STEPHANIE S. from HUNTINGTON, AR wrote on 6/29/2006...Very good.