A Delicious Read: Ann Patchett’s “Bel Canto” Gives Us Characters that Breathe

A moving historical novel (fiction) that is set in South America. A varied group of party guests have come to the luxurious home of the Vice President to hear an opera singer. Not long after they arrive, they are caught up in a hostage takeover by a band of rebels fighting for a cause.

I quickly became enthralled in the suspense, the characters, and the plot.

Roxanne Cross, a beautiful opera singer, has come to sing for Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful businessman of extreme importance. Once the rebels break in and seemingly terrorize the group, some are released. The remaining hostages are at first fearful and traumatized, but begin to form bonds with their captors.

Hours turn into days, and days to weeks until lines are blurred and relationships are formed. But nothing so traumatic and illegal can remain idyllic and surreal forever.

Patchett creates the most beautiful characters that moved me to tears during certain points in the novel. These characters came to life on the page, with powerful emotions and desires, hopes, and dreams. I found myself empathizing deeply with the (bad guys and girls) and battling an internal struggle that wanted them to win and continue on.

I became so enthralled in the plot and the character’s lives that I watched the movie with Julianne Moore and Ken Watanabe. For me, when I watch a movie after I've read the book, I am sometimes disappointed. It is usually impossible for Hollywood to depict the inner struggles, joys, and desires of the characters inside the time constraints of a 90 minute movie.

Although, the movie was wonderfully done and I enjoyed it.

Interestingly enough, the book is based on a Japanese embassy hostage crisis (the Lima Crisis) that occurred in 1996-1997.

There were some criticisms about Patchett using this seed for her novel for reasons I won't get into here. Not knowing details of the crisis before I read the novel, gave me the freedom to see the novel for what it was: a creative and rich piece of fiction.

This character driven story explored the lives of human beings and their need to connect on the deepest level.

Because I read this novel, I was able to learn of the Lima Crisis and gain a greater understanding of the Peruvian people. I feel her book created curiosity which caused me to do additional research.

Now I have a greater understanding about the story and about the Lima Crisis.

Praise to Ann Patchett for her rich writing style and brave imaginations.

I love that Ann Patchett was brave enough to take a seed from an actual event and create a beautiful story. Combine that with her rich writing and now the reader cares.

That’s what good fiction does.

This book touched me personally because of the rich characterization and the relationships; the suspense was wonderful.

She did a beautiful job and this novel gets a Knives Up!

Knives Up Book Club

Happy reading!

Lori