Bel Canto in Pick-a-Shelf

Oct 31, 2016 Paul Perry rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, us-author, favorites, female-author, literary, music, literature, read-in-2017

What a wonderful, beautiful, engrossing novel. I'll try to write a proper review soon, when it has all sunk in. ...more

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Sep 15, 2018 Rachel rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book was not for me. I've heard such good things about it, people seem to love it, it's been made into a movie, etc. But from my perspective the most interesting parts weren't the focus. There was too much romance and relationship junk, especially of the star-crossed kind, and the ending was just brutal. Not unexpected, but still.
I have since found out that this was based on a real incident. That's terribly interesting. The combination of these people in this room at this moment is interes ...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Booknblues rated it really liked it

Shelves: latin-america, contemporary-fiction, music

A third world country in South America with hopes of drawing investment dollars decides to throw a birthday party for wealthy Japanese businessman, Mr. Hosokawa. To lure him to the party Roxanne Coss, opera diva is performing. Because Mr. Hosokawa is enchanted by Roxanne's voice and presence, he cannot miss the opportunity to see her in person.
Local revolutionaries also see this as an opportunity to force the President to release political prisoners. Unfortunately they did not consider the presi A third world country in South America with hopes of drawing investment dollars decides to throw a birthday party for wealthy Japanese businessman, Mr. Hosokawa. To lure him to the party Roxanne Coss, opera diva is performing. Because Mr. Hosokawa is enchanted by Roxanne's voice and presence, he cannot miss the opportunity to see her in person.
Local revolutionaries also see this as an opportunity to force the President to release political prisoners. Unfortunately they did not consider the president's addiction to his favorite soap opera. The president declines to attend this very important party, and hands the duties of host to his vice president.

So starts Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. It is not so much a book about revolutionaries and terrorists as it is an examination of human frailties in times of stress. It examines how the Stockholm Syndrome might work with music acting as a magic wand to break down conflicts and boundaries between hostages and kidnappers. The vice president's mansion works as an enchanted castle which the party-goers dwell in suspended animation.

Within the book are romances that are so perfect and innocent that they remind the reader of the fairy tales of childhood. Can this fairy tale continue when the prisoners leave the enchanted castle? Throughout the book there are indications of things to come.

Patchett deftly creates interesting characters that the reader begins to care about. There is Gen, Mr. Hosokawa's assistant and translator, gifted at languages and a servant to his work ethic. There is Carmen illiterate villager and revolutionary who falls spell to the mansion and dreams of living there forever. Vice President, Ruben Iglesia finds his space as the perfect host, caring for hostages and hostage takers alike.

One wonders is this likely to have happened? While the book mirrors events at the Japanese embassy in Peru several years ago, does it adequately explain what happened there or is it merely a fantasy. Does the Stockholm Syndrome work reciprocally for both hostages and kidnappers until the lines ultimately break down?

Bel Canto is a book I enjoyed reading very much and I found myself falling under its spell. ...more

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Apr 05, 2011 Charles rated it it was ok

So, it's like a leasurly ride, maybe down the coast of Maine, or Oregon, or something. In the beginning, you say Oh! How lovely! The trees! The craggy cliffs! This should be special!

And you keep on riding, turn after turn. The trees are very nice; the sea splashing on the rocks is splendiforous. And you stop at the scenic viewpoint, inhaling deeply and gazing longingly.

And you keep on riding. Yea, yea, the trees. I would guess that this viewpoint is much like the last; let's keep on.

And, your mi ...more

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May 02, 2012 Suzanne rated it it was amazing

This was one of my favorite books every. It was so beautifully written.

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Aug 12, 2010 Erin Buchanan rated it it was amazing

One of the best books that I have ever read!

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Mar 18, 2012 Ann rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction

An enjoyable east read. I expected more after reading all the positive reviews of the book, but I think they reflect the general popularity of the author, the accessibly of her prose and themes and not necessarily an extraordinary writing style or ouevre.

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