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Book Review: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

December 29, 2009 by Darlene


Bel Canto by Ann Patchett is a book about a group of people, many important people, that are held hostage by a group of terrorists in some South American country – we never really learn where exactly. The party is for a Japanese businessman and as a gift to him he is going to get to see a famous opera singer that he has loved for years. In the middle of the party the terrorists come in from the air vents and cause chaos.

The terrorists originally were looking to kidnap the President of this country but unfortunately for the rest of the people at the party he had chosen not to attend, leaving them as the hostages instead. The women and children are let go but because the opera singer is famous, she is held back as she might be useful down the line. This hostage taking continues on for months with the terrorists demanding unreasonable things and being turned down by the government.

However, what starts as a panic and terror filled incident slowly turns into friendships and relationships between the hostages and the terrorists. Over the course of the months the hostages are allowed to walk around and even go outside. They don’t even try to escape as they really don’t feel threatened by the terrorists anymore. People that would never have been friends before find they have more in common than they would have thought and others even find love.

My reason for not using any names in this review stems from the fact that I felt no connection to any of the characters. I did find the story interesting but I didn’t find myself laughing or crying for anyone. I found the first part of the book when the hostages were taken and the last part of the book when things were being settled out the most interesting but the middle of the book for the most part kind of dragged on for me. The writing is very good and I’m sure some others may be able to get more from the book than I did.

I’m glad I read it though as it did keep my attention enough to finish it but my favorite of hers still remains her novel called Run. I think for me I was expecting more – maybe more chaos with the hostage taking, I’m not sure. While this wasn’t a favorite for me, it certainly wouldn’t keep me from reading more from Ann Patchett as I do enjoy her writing style.

My Thanks…to myself. This was a copy purchased by yours truly.

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Filed Under: 100+ Reading Challenge 2009, 2009 Book Reviews

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Book Dilettante says

    December 29, 2009 at 10:17 am

    I read this some time ago and thought it was an interesting love story, especially in the circumstances – a hostage situation at a formal dinner in a South American country. I think the setting of the novel was based on an actual event in Peru when there was an attempt on the life of the president of the country, Fugimori.

  2. Vivienne says

    December 29, 2009 at 10:19 am

    The name of this book sounds really familiar. Did they make it into a film?

  3. Kaye says

    December 29, 2009 at 11:21 am

    Sounds interesting but I don't think it's for me. It's too bad the middle dragged for you and that you didn't get invested emotionally to any of the characters.

  4. Blodeuedd says

    December 29, 2009 at 11:33 am

    Sounded good, but then, yeah i do not know. Especially since you didn't connect to anyone

  5. Beth F says

    December 29, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Hummm. I really haven't had any desire to read this novel and now I have even less. I appreciate your honest review.

  6. Staci says

    December 29, 2009 at 2:02 pm

    I've thought several times of reading this one but thankfully you've convinced me that I'm not missing out on anything spectacular!

  7. rhapsodyinbooks says

    December 29, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    I read this and really liked it but basically I would agree with you about it not being life-shaking. I love the way you did not name the characters to make your point. Very clever way to review it!

  8. Diane says

    December 29, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    The is one book I never got to (it's been on my shelf for several years). Perhaps 2010 will be the lucky year for this book.

    Thanks for the great review.

  9. JoAnn says

    December 29, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    I've read all of Patchett's novels and, although many of my friends loved it, Bel Canto was my least favorite.

  10. Sandy Nawrot says

    December 29, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    A mom from the kids' school told me to read this, but she didn't really have a reading track record with me (snobbish I know!) so I hadn't gotten around to it yet. Maybe I'll pass…

  11. Anna says

    December 29, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    I liked Run, too. In fact, that's the only Patchett book I've read. While this one sounds interesting, I think I'll skip it…for now. I like to feel connected to the characters I'm reading about.

  12. Literary Feline says

    December 29, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    I've been wanting to read this for awhile as the premise intrigues me, but I've read mixed reviews of it which is probably why I still haven't gotten to it. Someday! I am sorry it wasn't better for you, but at least glad that you liked it enough to finish it.

    I just read a book about a real life hostage situation. One hostage and captor did actually become friends in a distant sort of way, which was really interesting, I thought.

  13. Molly says

    December 29, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    I have started this book at least 3 times in the past, and somehow I get distracted and never finish. Perhaps it is for the reasons you express in this review.

    I will probably try one more time to complete it, and then I will recycle in the hopes it will find a good home that will appreciate its message more than me.

  14. Jenny Girl says

    December 29, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    Whent he middle of a book is not that great, it just dampens the whole thing. The plot sounds good anyway, but I won't go out of my way for this one. Thanks for the excellent review.

  15. Amy says

    December 29, 2009 at 4:18 pm

    Thanks for the honest review. If I can't get attached to the characters, I have a hard time with the book too.

  16. Lauren says

    December 29, 2009 at 4:40 pm

    I've been debating for nearly an entire year whether or not I want to get this book. It sounds really interesting, and I've seen it as a book rec before, but something just always holds me back. Maybe it's what you speak of…

  17. Jo-Jo says

    December 29, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    I read this one with my book club and I did enjoy it for the most part. I do agree that the hostage situation itself was not very suspenseful though.

  18. Bonnie says

    December 29, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    I tried reading this book and it just didn't hold my interest. I keep hearing many good reviews so I do want to try it again. Who knows, I have so many other books calling me that this one is still sitting on my bookshelf. I liked Run as well and held my interest from start to finish.

  19. Kristen says

    December 29, 2009 at 7:28 pm

    I loved this book, so I'm glad while you couldn't quite connect that you enjoyed it. I think the draw to music and romance at the time just sucked me in. I definitely love Run too and have read that book twice – the audio is also amazing.. 🙂

  20. wisteria says

    December 30, 2009 at 12:16 am

    Thanks for the review Dar. I think not using names in your review because you couldn't relate to them is pretty clever. I'm glad it didn't change your mind about future works by her.
    ~Wisteria

  21. Suko says

    December 30, 2009 at 1:14 am

    I may have said this before, but you have a gorgeous blog!

    It's great to know that you enjoyed Run, as I have the book (a gift from my blogging Secret Santa).

    Happy New Year!

  22. softdrink says

    December 30, 2009 at 2:44 am

    I've tried to read this a few times…I finally realized it just wasn't gonna happen and got rid of my copy.

  23. caite says

    December 30, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    I read this years ago…way pre-blog…and remember liking it a great deal. Although now I am not sure why.

  24. Lenore says

    December 30, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    This is one of my all-time favorites! I know it's not for everyone, but I LOVED it.

  25. Yolanda says

    December 30, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    I have loved reading your book Reviews this year and I hope you have a wonderful 2010.

  26. Serena says

    December 30, 2009 at 5:35 pm

    Thank you for your honest review. I read Run by this same author and found it lacking and was disappointed, but I've heard from other reviewers that Bel Canto is fantastic.

    However, ever since reading RUN, I haven't wanted to read Bel Canto that has been sitting on my shelf for many years.

  27. bermudaonion says

    December 31, 2009 at 1:52 am

    I haven't read any of Ann Patchett's books, but it sounds like I should start with Run. Thanks for your great review.

  28. Zibilee says

    December 31, 2009 at 10:00 pm

    I read this book a few years ago and had much the same reaction to it as you did. I didn't like Run very much either. I think I need to accept that Patchett is just not the writer for me!

  29. Toni says

    January 1, 2010 at 7:43 pm

    I can't wait to read your review Dar. I am enjoying this via Audio at the current time. 🙂

  30. Dar says

    January 3, 2010 at 3:55 am

    Viv, I don't think Bel Canto was made into a film but I could be wrong.

    Thanks everyone for stopping in and checking out my review. I always find it so interesting how some of us will really love something and others won't. I'm always interested when I don't like a book so much, what exactly it was that drew someone else in.

  31. Heather @ Book Addiction says

    January 3, 2010 at 10:22 pm

    I just finished this one and reviewed it myself. Funny, I had the exact opposite reaction – I connected with ALL of the characters and really loved the book. I'm sorry you didn't love it, but I haven't read Run and now I definitely want to. Thanks for the honest review!

  32. Anonymous says

    October 13, 2010 at 4:24 am

    It agree, it is an amusing piece

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