What can I say about this book that hasn’t been said before? Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto is so unique that I would hardly have believed it was a book had I not read it myself. It’s a story about love in the most unlikely places. Heroism from the more unlikely of people. And culture when you expect nothing but the uncivilized.

My favorite moments were without a doubt any time Roxanne Cross sang. Despite the fact that she is a fictional soprano, by turning the pages it was as if I could hear her voice myself. Without sounding corny, the book was pure magic. I began it somewhat skeptical – how much could one gain from a book about a hostage situation? Needless to say, I was mistaken.

I was in love with the translator Gen, who became the accidental hero of the novel; the uniquely beautiful terrorist Carmen, who taught me how to walk without being heard; and, the unmistakable Soprano Roxanne Cross, whose voice inspires humanity from even the most inhuman of the group.

The plot is unique and not at all as you would expect. I was constantly surprised and enjoyed the book throughout. ( )

It took me a few chapters to really get into this one, but once I did, I was hooked. It's an unlikely story of a hostage situation at a dinner party in South America. During the months (!) of stalemate, the captors and captives find love and rediscover the beauty of life and the magic of music. I was expecting the ending to make the story, but it turned out to be rather different than I expected. I could have done without the epilogue, but it is an interesting twist. ( )

A beautifully written novel, loosely based on a true event.

Opening Sentence : '...When the lights went off the accompanist kissed her...'

Bel Canto was the winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2002.

In an unnamed South American country, a world-renowned soprano, Roxanne Coss, 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. However, at the end of the concert, just as the accompanist kisses the soprano, a gang of armed men invade the vice-presidential mansion in order to capture their president. Unfortunately for the invaders, the President had stayed home to watch a favorite soap opera. So from the very beginning, things don't go according to plan.

Among the hostages are an assortment of Russian, Italian, and French diplomatic types as well as Reuben Iglesias, the vice president. A Swiss Red Cross negotiator named Joachim Messner is roped into service while vacationing. He comes and goes daily, wrangling over terms and demands, and the days stretch into weeks, the weeks into months.
Yes the characters remain captive for months. Ann Prachett says her inspiration came from the real-life taking of the Japanese Embassy in Peru by MRTA terrorists in December 1996 - the siege ended four months later. The 23 terrorists from the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) held 340 men captive in the Japanese ambassador's residence - by the end of the siege there were 72 hostages left.

Despite the basis of the book - armed imprisonment - the pace is leisurely and the initial sense of menace soon disappears as some of the armed terrorist are revealed as nice people in the wrong place and the wrong time. The overall theme is the power of music in our lives - how glorious music can touch our very soul, and another them is the importance of seeking beauty and romance in our lives. Since the world we live in is often a cruel and barbaric place, it is not always possible for peace and love to flourish. Ann Patchett shows us it is possible in all circumstances to seize those rare moments in our lives when we can enjoy everything that is wonderful and amazing around us.

The conclusion was, for me, unsatisfying. But it is an entertaining and thought provoking novel with good character development and wonderful use of language. I can fully understand why it won an award. ( )

Wow, this was a great love story. It is a story about the elite of society who were taken hostage at a party by terrorists. It was really interesting to see how the relationships developed between the two groups. I really enjoyed it. ( )