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Book Review of Bel Canto

Bel Canto
Bel Canto
Author: Ann Patchett
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
wantonvolunteer avatar reviewed on + 84 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2


This story takes place in South America, where a financially strapped government decides to woo foreign investment by staging a lavish dinner party featuring a live performance by the world's most famous operatic diva. The party is attended by highly connected from all over the world, and suddenly it is highjacked by a heavily armed group of rebels from the forest.

Patchett's writing is so gorgeous it's beguiling, I floated along the first 250 pages in love with everything, her descriptions and characters and dialogue. It's incredible that she can present a hostage situation with sixty victims and fifteen terrorists, and write every single character so that they each have qualities that appeal to the readers' better nature. Incredible. It's as if we are all bewitched by the singing of lovely soprano Roxane Coss, and collectively affected by Stockholm Syndrome.

Eventually, the realization that things cannot continue lolling along in beauty and luxury and camaraderie hits and hits hard.