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Somewhere in South America, at the home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful Japanese businessman. 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 breaks in through the air-conditioning vents and takes the entire party hostage. But what begins as a panicked, life-threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different, as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds and people from different countries and continents become compatriots. Friendship, compassion, and the chance for great love lead the characters to forget the real danger that has been set in motion and cannot be stopped.… (more)
the_awesome_opossum: Both novels are about human connections formed in the face of unusual crises. Very competent and well-written, both books had much the same vibe about them
To be fair to Bel Canto, it's probably a 4 star book; however, I came into it with 5-star expectations. Having read [b:Truth and Beauty|5083254|Secrets of Truth and Beauty|Megan Frazer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1239242179s/5083254.jpg|5149972] and seeing the combination of grace and brutal honesty with which Patchett depicted herself and [a:Lucy Grealy|57229|Lucy Grealy|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg], I had the highest expectations for her treatment of fictional characters. And, in some cases, she lives up to expectations.
The highlight of the book is clearly Gen, the peon translator, turned by his captivity into essential personnel. The topic of language - who owns which language and what they can do with it - as the supreme power is fascinating and unique and the character is well suited by his theme. His foil, the slightly less multilingual Rubuen - Vice President turned into housekeeper by his captivity is nicely set up and the many conversations between the two really showcase the artificiality of status.
Hosokawa's story is also well done. The trope of important business-person stunned by once in a lifetime event into realizing that there's more to life than work and deciding to live like it counts once it may be too late is a little overdone, but that distracts little from how well Patchett does it.
The terrorists developing rapport with their hostages portion of the plot is by fair the most lauded and perhaps fell a little flat as a result of that. The developing of relationships didn't really feel organic and the terrorists were depicted as relatively sympathetic from the beginning.
However, where the books really falls flat is its female characters. The reader is constantly informed how both Carmen and Roxanne are the most beautiful, smartest, most talented women to ever exist. Every scene staring either of them is filled with male characters perseverating on their beauty. Neither of them have any flaws at all (except maybe an endearing stubbornness.) Roxanne is so beautiful as to sway terrorist organizations. Both of them feel extremely one-dimensional as a result. Music is treated the same way -- it's beautiful and uplifting and world changing. We're never really told why, but instead subjected to the same refrain in every musical scene. As someone who could take or leave music as a whole, and definitely opera in specific, it was teeth-gratingly annoying. ( )
Rich description and thoughtful character development create both believable setting and multi-layered personalities for an unbelievable series of events. ( )
This was one of the best books I have read so far this year. It made me want to press the book to my chest and sigh. Can I have her talent for descriptions? I want it. I'm jealous. ( )
I read this book mostly at work, which was actually perfect considering it deals with hostages trying to make it through the minutes-hours-days with very little to occupy their time. A very subtle book that is all about quiet anticipation. I thought it was wonderful. ( )
Reading Bel Canto is a truly magical experience. The only problem is the inevitable argument as to whether Bel Canto, Commonwealth or The Dutch House is Patchett's best work. ( )
''Bel Canto'' often shows Patchett doing what she does best -- offering fine insights into the various ways in which human connections can be forged, whatever pressures the world may place upon them.
Although this novel is entirely housebound, at the vice presidential mansion, Ms. Patchett works wonders to avoid any sense of claustrophobia and keeps the place fresh at every turn.
Fonti e colline chiesi agli Dei; m 'udiro alfine, pago io vovro, ne mai quel fonte co 'desir miei, ne mai quel monte trapassero
"I asked the Gods for hills and springs; They listened to me at last. I shall live contented. And I shall never desire to go beyond that spring, nor shall I desire to cross that mountain."
-- Sei Ariette I: Malinconia, ninfa gentil, Vincenzo Bellini
Sprecher: Ihr Fremdlinge! was sucht oder fordert ihn von uns? Tamino: Freundschaft und Liebe. Sprecher: Bist du bereit, es mit deinem Leben zu erkämpfen? Tamino: Ja.
Speaker: Stranger, what do you seek or ask from us? Tamino: Friendship and love. Speaker: And are you prepared even if it costs you your life? Tamino: I am.
-- The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Dedication
For Karl VanDevender
First words
When the lights went off the accompanist kissed her.
Quotations
Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore, non feci mai male ad anima viva!
Americans have a bad habit of thinking like Americans.
It's easier to love a woman when you can't understand a word she's saying.
Gen saw there could be as much virtue in letting go of what you knew as there had ever been in gathering new information.
If what a person wants is his life, he tends to be quiet about wanting anything else. Once the life begins to seem secure, one feels the freedom to complain. (p. 56)
"Diabetic!" she cried, a word that had to be more or less the same in any language. Those medical terms came off Latin root, a single tree they should all understand. (p.80)
Angry with nothing but a small red plus sign strapped over his upper arms to protect himself from a roomful of guns. (p. 87)
No ohe was quite willing to lie, but they tugged down the edges of truth. (p. 97
A great wall of darkness came from those who could now reasonably assume their fate and it pulled them away from the lucky hilarity of the others. On one side, men deemed less important were going back to their wives, would sleep in the familiar sheets of their own beds, would be greeted by children and dogs, the wet and reckless affection of their unconditional love. But thirty-nine men and one woman on the other side were just beginning to understand that they were digging in, that his was the house where they lived now, that they had been kidnapped. (pp. 102-103)
Conversations in more than two languages felt awkward and unreliable, like speaking with a mouthful of cotton and Novocain. No one could hold on to their thoughs long enough and wait their turns. (p. 113)
Fondness often prevented one from doing the most effective job. (p. 137)
What she prayed for was nothing. She prayed that God would look on them and see the beauty of their existence and leave them alone. (p. 156)
A kiss in so much lonliness was like a hand pulling you up out of the water, scooping you up from a place of drowning and into the reckless abundance of air. (p. 207)
Not everyone can be the artist. There have to be those who witness the art, who love and appreciate what they have been priviledged to see. (p. 219)
Last words
Thibault was sure there had never been such beautiful women, and the beautiful women came to them and held out their arms.
Somewhere in South America, at the home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful Japanese businessman. 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 breaks in through the air-conditioning vents and takes the entire party hostage. But what begins as a panicked, life-threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different, as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds and people from different countries and continents become compatriots. Friendship, compassion, and the chance for great love lead the characters to forget the real danger that has been set in motion and cannot be stopped.
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Translator, a star In hostage situation Love and friendships thrive (julienne_preacher)
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Reading Bel Canto (no spoilers yet please)
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7
The highlight of the book is clearly Gen, the peon translator, turned by his captivity into essential personnel. The topic of language - who owns which language and what they can do with it - as the supreme power is fascinating and unique and the character is well suited by his theme. His foil, the slightly less multilingual Rubuen - Vice President turned into housekeeper by his captivity is nicely set up and the many conversations between the two really showcase the artificiality of status.
Hosokawa's story is also well done. The trope of important business-person stunned by once in a lifetime event into realizing that there's more to life than work and deciding to live like it counts once it may be too late is a little overdone, but that distracts little from how well Patchett does it.
The terrorists developing rapport with their hostages portion of the plot is by fair the most lauded and perhaps fell a little flat as a result of that. The developing of relationships didn't really feel organic and the terrorists were depicted as relatively sympathetic from the beginning.
However, where the books really falls flat is its female characters. The reader is constantly informed how both Carmen and Roxanne are the most beautiful, smartest, most talented women to ever exist. Every scene staring either of them is filled with male characters perseverating on their beauty. Neither of them have any flaws at all (except maybe an endearing stubbornness.) Roxanne is so beautiful as to sway terrorist organizations. Both of them feel extremely one-dimensional as a result. Music is treated the same way -- it's beautiful and uplifting and world changing. We're never really told why, but instead subjected to the same refrain in every musical scene. As someone who could take or leave music as a whole, and definitely opera in specific, it was teeth-gratingly annoying. (