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A review by katykelly
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
5.0
Winner of the Orange Prize? Must be literary, pretentious and hard-to-read then.
Not at all. I have found some Orange shortlisters too much of a challenge but Bel Canto is incredibly readable, funny, romantic and touching.
The synopsis sold me. And then the writing pulled me through.
In an unnamed South American country, at the Vice President's house, a Japanese CEO of industry celebrates his 53rd birthday with a party for other important people, and including his favourite opera singer as entertainment.
A terrorist organisation takes them all hostage after hoping to find the country's President at the party. Alas, he is at home watching his favourite soap opera. And so begins a long stand-off in which positions change, relationships are formed, we meet and learn to like hostage and terrorist alike.
It's a brilliant read, even if you suspect you know what might happen at the end (it is a hostage situation after all), though there are surprises.
The characters are wonderful and varied, from the brilliant and much-in-demand translator Gen, to the poor Red Cross go-between called in from his holiday, to the shingles-ridden terrorist General.
Sympathies are stretched to include almost every character, which seems far-fetched but they are an interesting bunch to follow. It does mean you have more than one party to root for however.
There is a lot of talk of songs and singing in the book, with Rozanne Coss the opera star singing each day in the house, and I did several times wish I could hear her!
Very enjoyable. And very readable.
Not at all. I have found some Orange shortlisters too much of a challenge but Bel Canto is incredibly readable, funny, romantic and touching.
The synopsis sold me. And then the writing pulled me through.
In an unnamed South American country, at the Vice President's house, a Japanese CEO of industry celebrates his 53rd birthday with a party for other important people, and including his favourite opera singer as entertainment.
A terrorist organisation takes them all hostage after hoping to find the country's President at the party. Alas, he is at home watching his favourite soap opera. And so begins a long stand-off in which positions change, relationships are formed, we meet and learn to like hostage and terrorist alike.
It's a brilliant read, even if you suspect you know what might happen at the end (it is a hostage situation after all), though there are surprises.
The characters are wonderful and varied, from the brilliant and much-in-demand translator Gen, to the poor Red Cross go-between called in from his holiday, to the shingles-ridden terrorist General.
Sympathies are stretched to include almost every character, which seems far-fetched but they are an interesting bunch to follow. It does mean you have more than one party to root for however.
There is a lot of talk of songs and singing in the book, with Rozanne Coss the opera star singing each day in the house, and I did several times wish I could hear her!
Very enjoyable. And very readable.