Reviews

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

morganek's review against another edition

I was really liking this at first but the longer it went, the more bored I felt. This is about a terrorist attack and still managed to be boring and repetitive, while relatively short. 

tamracielle's review against another edition

5.0

Stockholm Syndrome at its finest. Ann Patchett tells us near the beginning of the novel what the outcome will be, but like her characters, we are lulled into believing otherwise. Who can blame us with the lovely story she creates, woven together with the beauty of music. It did make me want to learn more about opera, something about which I know very little. Life is too short not to pause from our busyness and learn more about the beautiful things in this world. This book is one of them.

marygwin's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.0

ariane_ryan's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

lou_lelou's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-paced

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

1.5

cyhr04's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

4.0

kmcardle03's review against another edition

5.0

This book was so full of beautiful music and humanity. The characters felt so entirely full in the smallest of worlds. The exploration of language and communication, the desire to be loved and appreciated, the impossible goal of neutrality, all of it was intricately woven into the tale. It was so easy to forget there is a world outside.

jmstru's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

bellagasparro's review against another edition

Couldn’t get into it 

joaniesickler's review against another edition

4.0

Loved it. Knew about it for a while and wasn't real interested in the story - an international group of wealthy businessmen, along with the opera star who sang for their dinner entertainment, are kidnapped and held by a band of South American country terrorists. It's a wonderful, touching, human story of love and music and communication. Especially loved the cooking scene.