Bel Canto by Ann Patchett Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Bel Canto
Book Review: A MUST-read
Summary: 5 Stars
WOW. I loved this book, and I think you will, too.
In an unnamed South American country, government officials are throwing an elaborate birthday party for Mr. Hosokawa, the CEO of a vast Japanese electronics company. The officials are hoping to dazzle him into locating a factory within their borders, bringing jobs and prosperity to the nation. To lure Mr. Hosokawa to the party, an exclusive live performance by famed opera singer Roxana Coss has been scheduled. (Hosokawa is a huge opera fan, and Coss is his favorite soprano.)
The evening is on its way to a successful conclusion when a group of armed terrorists storm the party, looking for the country's president as a high-profile hostage. Unable to find him in the raid (he unexpectedly did not attend the evening's festivities), the terrorists are forced to concoct Plan B, which involves taking everyone hostage. This plan is eventually amended to trading the most valuable hostages (re: top government officials, diplomats from other countries, leading businessmen) in return for the satisfaction of the terrorists' demands.
As negotiations between the authorities and the terrorists drag on, the hostages (all type A personalities) begin to learn how to do, well, nothing. They form bonds with one another and get to know their captors. They look out windows. They leaf through magazines. They learn new languages, play and listen to music, and cook. The hostage situation becomes a rather unique vacation from their normal lives, and the characters begin to adapt to the situation.
A Japanese businessman surprises everyone with his talent for piano. One of the terrorists can sing, and the opera singer sets about teaching him proper technique. A French diplomat relishes his time in the kitchen, chopping up onions and roasting chickens for the assemblage. Some of the characters find love in one another's arms. Their time together becomes the beautiful song of the book's title. A time for reflection, beauty, love, and friendship. But it is also a time of forgetting. Everyone avoids thinking about how the situation must end and what the government will eventually do to force the hands of the terrorists and get the hostages released. Because, as both the characters and the readers know, all songs must come to a close.
I know it sounds like a far-fetched premise for a book, but you will love every minute of this story. The characters are wonderfully drawn, and Patchett's soaring passages about music and careful sketches of human relationships will leave you refreshed and inspired. Don't miss this one.
Book Review: A Song of Love
Summary: 5 Stars
As winner of the PEN/Faulkner award, Ann Patchett's Bel Canto possesses beauty, lyricism, and elegance. From the first page, the author commanded my attention and held my interest. The plot wasn't one that enthralled me as I read the back cover of the book; yet, I could not cease reading once I opened this treasure.
Beyond her sophisticated style--a captivating song itself--Patchett's talent lies in her ability to challenge our preconceived notions, our prejudices. Had the final scene at Ruben's home taken place in the second chapter, I honestly would have rejoiced. However, through her gradual character development, I found myself opening my heart to new characters--just as the individuals in the book welcomed others into their hearts and families. I admired Carmen for her newfound confidence and love of learning; I appreciated Beatriz's unexpected kindness; and I applauded General Benjamin's orders to take the captives outdoors.
These characters overcame all odds--fears, language barriers, and confinement. Reaching out to others for companionship, they also learned to love something new about themselves. Ruben took pride in menial work; Roxane taught her skill to another; and Cesar found his voice. And, of course, some found love in the most unlikely places and people.
Like many others, I found the epilogue needless. Not only was it unexpected, but it did not further my understanding of the new lives of the characters. Yet, I forgive Patchett; I savored each word before the epilogue, and I must accept those four pages as part of it. If I take something from the ending, I take hope. Life goes on, and so does the love that grew in an unlikely place. These relationships--these lives-- will be remembered.
This was an unforgettable story--both tragic and heroic. I highly recommend this book.
Book Review: A Struggle
Summary: 2 Stars
I was expecting more from this book after hearing glowing reviews from trusted sources. It dragged for me. While I loved the language and imagery that Patchett used, I had no emotional attachment to the characters. I found most of them to be quite shallow and unsympathetic. While I believe that the pace was intentionally slow, so as to add the proper setting for the story, it never regained what momentum it had in the beginning. I was lost in the monotony, and it was a struggle for me to get through. Probably closer to 1.5 stars for me, as, like I said, I did enjoy the prose, just not the story or characters.
Book Review: A captive audience
Summary: 5 Stars
A fascinating story written in a unique, captivating style. Patchett has a way with words that drew me in, and never left me disappointed - until I ran out of pages! This is one of those books that makes you wish you could forget everything and start again, for the pleasure of being carried along with the story.
The story itself is a beautiful study of human life in captivity - the relationships formed across class and language barriers are extraordinary; the routine that the captives develop with time, and a sense of normalcy in what is a very unnatural situation, are fascinating.
Characters find alter-egos, their hidden traits emerging away from the pressures of society and high-powered diplomacy. Everyone discovers music - opera - and everything stops when the key character sings. Husbands fall in love with their wives (absence makes the heart grow fond!) and others find new love - but not in that clichéd way that so many authors fall back on.
I'm sure this review doesn't do the book justice. Just read it - it's my new favourite book!
Book Review: A take off on Bunuel's El Angel Exterminador (1962)
Summary: 4 Stars
An interesting allegory about an elite group of people trapped in a concept that continues to breakdown, but still persists. The story is so similar to El Angel Exterminador that I kept getting distracted by looking for comparisons.