Reviews

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

gwparsons's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

beckca03's review against another edition

5.0

I began Bel Canto by listening to it on my ipod, and while I normally enjoy (prefer?) books this way, this is really a book better read. The beauty of Ann Patchett's writing is astounding, and the themes of love, rage, turmoil, and redemption emerge stronger when sitting down with a hardcopy.

Normally I like a book with a good, strong "context" (setting, plot, etc.) but lately I find myself drawn more towards books with complex character development, of which Bel Canto fits.

While its not a quick read, it is the kind of book you can pick up on a Sunday and be immersed in immediately, and then return to it a few weeks later when you feel in the mood. If you enjoyed The Road by Cormac McCarthy, this should be your next book.

(Ironically enough, after finishing Bel Canto, I picked up another of Patchett's books - Run - and found it extremely shallow, in both symbolism / themes and character development.)

sellen14's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

tankica_'s review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

samburkhouse's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

jalb's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

mldow's review against another edition

2.25

I hated the way it ended.  It was a struggle to get through it. 

thrillhouse57's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I wish she had left off the Epilogue. I don’t know what purpose it serves. It would be a 4.5 without it. 

emmakslone's review against another edition

5.0

Beautiful and captivating and devastating and I can’t stop thinking about it!!!!!!

errski's review against another edition

3.0

I liked this book, I felt like it was a little dry at parts but I liked the story.

Spoiler

The ending (not epilogue) was really good, I did not expect both Mr. Hosokawa and Carmen to get shot. Truthfully, I knew that things wouldn't work out for Gen and Carmen, but wow what a twist ending. Now for the epilogue... just no, yes maybe the book needed something after the ending, but I'm not sure I like or fully understand where the author took the story.

I watched the movie and they changed up the ending, which is fine since I didn't really like it. The movie was really true to the book actually, so it probably won't make book lover's heads spin with anger at the adaptation.