Winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award • Winner of the Orange Prize • National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist
“Bel Canto is its own universe. A marvel of a book.” —Washington Post Book World
New York Times bestselling author Ann Patchett’s spellbinding novel about love and opera, and the unifying ways people learn to communicate across cultural barriers in times of crisis
Somewhere in South … learn to communicate across cultural barriers in times of crisis
Somewhere in South America, at the home of the country’s vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of the powerful businessman Mr. Hosokawa. 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 takes the entire party hostage. But what begins as a panicked, life-threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different, a moment of great beauty, as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds and people from different continents become compatriots, intimate friends, and lovers.
Patchett’s lyrical prose and lucid imagination make Bel Canto a captivating story of strength and frailty, love and imprisonment, and an inspiring tale of transcendent romance.
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If I were stranded on a desert island, I would bring Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. This book is so magical to me and I’ve read it so many times. In an unamed South American country, a famous American opera singer is the special guest at diplomatic party — which gets taken over by terrorists and they are all held hostage for MONTHS. It’s a beautiful …
I’m not sure what took me so long to read this book–especially since I LOVE Ann Patchett–but I am so glad that I finally did. Incredible, incredible writing, with some of the most breathtakingly moving passages you’ll ever read. Such a satisfying and rewarding book!
Why did I wait so long to read BEL CANTO? Because the synopsis starts with mention of a terrorist takeover at an A-list social event in South America, and I don’t do terrorism for pleasure. Since I read for pleasure, seeing the word “terrorist” was enough to turn me off.
How. Stupid. Ann Patchett is one of my favorite authors, and so many of …
Bel Canto is one of my all-time favorite novels! Ann Patchett’s story offers a complex clash of warring cultures, worldviews, and individual relationships colliding in a time of social upheaval in Peru at the end of the 20th century. Yet, the plot unfolds over a short timespan within the walls of a single home. Patchett’s dramatic story translated …
This book was my introduction to Ann Patchett, and it ranks as one of my favorite books. Every Ann Patchett book I’ve read has the ability to create this amazing atmosphere that I don’t find from any other author. This story was beautiful and tragic, uplifting and sad, all at once. I loved the characters. I loved the story, even though it …
I loved this book. It tells many truths about talents, personalities, love, power, and humanity (or lack of it)! Giving several copies away this holiday…
Ann Patchett is a gem of a writer and has written a thought-provoking, moving book of people living their lives fully in the face of potential tragedy.
I really loved this book and had been wanting to read it for quite a while. When I found out the movie was coming out, I wanted to read the book first and it did meet all my expectations. I really liked all the characters and really related to them, good and bad. It’s a really good story that I highly recommend.
One of my all-time favorite novels. From Amazon:
“In an unnamed South American country, a world-renowned soprano sings at a birthday party in honor of a visiting Japanese industrial titan. His hosts hope that Mr. Hosokawa can be persuaded to build a factory in their Third World backwater. Alas, in the opening sequence, just as the accompanist …
After reading Patchett’s lovely tribute to her late friend, the writer Lucy Grealy, I knew I had to read more of her work. So Bel Canto was next, and I was not disappointed. This is a beautiful story of hope and love through crisis and terror, bringing together unlikely friends and lovers deep in the jungles of South America.
Inspired by the …
A wonderful read with great characters and insights into their minds. An accomplished author in every book I have read with her signature.
Is it Kosher to recommend an opera production? One I haven’t even seen yet? I want to alert @stephanieteke and other opera fans that PBS is showing this new opera this week. The star is Danielle De Neise (spelling?) an exquisite coloratura soprano who is a fine actress as well.
My excuse for bringing it up, of course, is that it is based on the …
One of the most favorite books I’ve ever read. A great story.
Liked it. Very different!
The comraderie that developed between the large group of hostages and their captors was unpredictable. The bonds of friendship and even love grew as the individuals accepted the day to day existence they shared.
Astonishly good.
One of my favorite Ann Patchett books. Very well written, good character developed and unique story!
Great book all around, highly recommend
The writing and the story are awesome.
One of Ann’s best. You’ll not be disappointed.