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Search - Bel Canto
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Bel Canto Author: |
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Book Information
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Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Paperback, Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio CD, Hardcover
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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Top Member Book Reviews
Leigh P. (
14 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.
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.
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.
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Really well written, beautiful. An enjoyable but not too long of a read. I highly recommend it.
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.
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.
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.
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Please Rate these Book Reviews
This is a beautifully written book. Ann Patchett is an engrossing author. Her characters draw you in and never disappoint.
The plot was pretty hard to believe, but I allowed my willing suspension of disbelief while reading it. The epilogue really made me wonder why I wasted a week on reading it, however. The ending did not do it justice at all and left me very confused.
This book was just ok for me. It was slow going and although I finished it I wondered why. I like her other books better.
Rose S. (I felt this was an excellent, engrossing book. I had trouble putting it down for real life! I did not like the epilogue though, it was... not right. I will be trying more of her books.
Donna G. (Took a while for me to get into it, but once I did- it was great.
Very good book. (I believe is based on a true story--Fujimori??) Affection grows between a group of hostages and their captors during the course of several months...
I read this book three years ago and it still rates as one of the all time best reads. Highly recommended.
I think I am the only person on the face of the earth who did not like this book.
I have to say, I had a hard time getting through this book. I finished it, but it was a tough read.
Read All Book Reviews of "Bel Canto"
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