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Book Review of Bel Canto

Bel Canto
Bel Canto
Author: Ann Patchett
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Hardcover
CarlaG avatar reviewed on + 3 more book reviews


Bel Canto is a book that was recommended to me by an Internet friend whose opinion in books I generally trust. After reading this book Ican say that opinion has not wavered in the least.

I can't say the book is awe inspiring. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad. I found myself interested, even if I never fully engaged in the characters. The story itself draws you in more than any of the individual characters do. While I found Gen and his story more interesting than the others, each character had a sort of antiseptic feel to it.

I suppose the book took on a somber, observational tone for me, living under the cloud of heavy foreshadowing that was drawn in the beginning. If you care to pay attention to those pages, you know the fate of some of those involved - not all of them of course. But it's easy to forget this as you read. But this is a tale not defined by it's conclusion so much as it's playing out of a story.

For me, the beauty of this book is the smooth and graceful pace which the words are delivered. Like I said, the story itself isn't astounding. It's the manner she tells it which is the keeper here. It isn't full of theatrics but it is full of grace

All in all I can't say this is a remarkable book. Sitting here I find I don't have much else to say about it. I found the actual story to be decent, and the characters to be less than engaging. But I enjoyed the story, and found myself picking up the book willingly every day.