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Title: Bel Canto: A Novel by Ann Patchett ISBN: 0-06-093441-7 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 16 April, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.67 (383 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A Moving, Lyrical Novel
Comment: "Bel Canto" paints just one landscape-the mansion of a Vice President in an unnamed South American country-but fills it with memorable, interesting character. The story begins with a birthday party for a Japanese industrial titan, who will be serenaded by his favorite soprano. Then the terrorists pour through the air conditioning ducts and take over the party, the mansion and the lives of the guests. This is no quick-ending siege: it goes on for months, with the women guests (with the exception of the soprano) being taken away.
Patchett paints a multi-lingual, multi-lyrical world. Lives and characters merge. Over the months, some terrorists see, envy even the lives of the hostages (one beautiful young female terrorist is stunned by the sheer luxury of the home). Likewise, some hostages begin seeing things from the vantage point of the terrorists. The Vice-President, the mansion's owner, finds out that he is an outstanding housekeeper. In this small world, there is love, laughter, music, and of course, fear and the threat of death.
I felt the book's only flaw lay in the ending but I won't ruin it!
I would highly recommend this book to individuals who enjoy such novels as "Atonement" or "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress." It is top-notch contemporary fiction. I would not recommend this book for individuals who want a lot of a action or a number of different settings. The beauty of this book lies in the diversity that can exist within one canvas.
Rating: 4
Summary: Bittersweet and unusual story about life, love and music.
Comment: "Bel Canto" is a style of operatic singing characterized by full, even tones and a brilliant display of vocal technique. It is also a whimsical and entertaining novel by Ann Patchett.
The book takes place in an unnamed country in South America. A birthday party has been arranged for a prominent Japanese businessman named Mr. Hosokawa. The only reason that Mr. Hosokawa has agreed to come to this party in his honor is that Roxanne Coss, a world famous soprano, is there to sing for the assembled guests. Ms. Coss does sing brilliantly and all seems to be going well. Unfortunately, the party turns sour quickly when a band of revolutionaries breaks into the house and holds the guests hostage.
Patchett, in a display of literary virtuosity, brings the characters in "Bel Canto" to brilliant life. With wit, humor and pathos, the author shows how living in close quarters with strangers sometimes brings out the best in people. Mr. Hosokawa, who is usually a businesslike automaton, blossoms into a sensitive and caring individual under the influence of Roxanne and her lovely music. Gen Watanable, who is Hosokawa's translator and secretary, falls in love with one of the female revolutionaries, and his life also takes off in unexpected directions.
Patchett touches on many themes in "Bel Canto," such as the power of glorious music to touch our souls and the importance of seeking beauty and romance in our lives. Since the world we live in is sometimes a barbaric place, it is not always possible for peace and love to flourish. Therefore, Patchett seems to be saying, it is vital to seize those rare moments in our lives when we can enjoy everything that is wonderful and amazing around us.
"Bel Canto" is marred by a pace that is a bit too leisurely and by a somewhat unsatisfying conclusion. However, overall it is an entertaining novel that is notable not only for the author's development of character, but also for her imagination, originality and wonderful use of language.
Rating: 5
Summary: haunting novel
Comment: As soon as I finished reading this novel, I started again from the beginning. I think that the people writing negative reviews are probably not familiar with magical realism, a Latin American style adopted by Patchett for this novel set in South America. There is an excerpt from a review on the back cover that really says why this book is so wonderful: "the impulses toward beauty and love are shown to be as irrepressible as the instincts for violence and destruction." Too much fiction is written about the human heart of darkness. Patchett succeeds remarkably well in exploring human goodness. This book, if you understand the purpose, and understand the style, is a wonderful experience. I would recommend it for college students that are tired of reading about how terrible human beings really are. After a semester of Hobbes, Dazai, Kafka, and Conrad, this was the refutation that I wanted.
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Title: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd ISBN: 0142001740 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 28 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Life of Pi by Yann Martel ISBN: 0156027321 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: 01 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown ISBN: 0385504209 Publisher: Doubleday Pub. Date: 18 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Three Junes by JULIA GLASS ISBN: 0385721420 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 22 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Middlesex : A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides ISBN: 0312422156 Publisher: Picador USA Pub. Date: 16 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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