Bel Canto (P.S.)
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List Price: $13.95
Our Price: $11.16
Your Save: $ 2.79 ( 20% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780060838720
ISBN: 0060838728
Label: Harper Perennial
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 352
Publication Date: 2005-08-01
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Release Date: 2005-08-02
Studio: Harper Perennial
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Editorial Reviews:
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Somewhere in South America, at the home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of the powerful businessman Mr. Hosokawa. Roxanne Coss, opera's most revered soprano, has mesmerized the international guests with her singing. It is a perfect evening -- until a band of gunwielding terrorists takes the entire party hostage. But what begins as a panicked, life-threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different, a moment of great beauty, as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds and people from different continents become compatriots, intimate friends, and lovers.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Rubbish
Comment: Page 15 - "Instead he listened to Maria Callas sing a collection of Greek songs on his Nansei headset, ...."
Exactly when did Callas record these little Grecian treasures? John Ardoin certainly makes no reference to them is his terrific book "The Callas Legacy"
Flung Bel Canto out the window with disgust at page 15 as unresearched rubbish. Obviously written by a philistine.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Song of Love
Comment: As winner of the PEN/Faulkner award, Ann Patchett's Bel Canto possesses beauty, lyricism, and elegance. From the first page, the author commanded my attention and held my interest. The plot wasn't one that enthralled me as I read the back cover of the book; yet, I could not cease reading once I opened this treasure.
Beyond her sophisticated style--a captivating song itself--Patchett's talent lies in her ability to challenge our preconceived notions, our prejudices. Had the final scene at Ruben's home taken place in the second chapter, I honestly would have rejoiced. However, through her gradual character development, I found myself opening my heart to new characters--just as the individuals in the book welcomed others into their hearts and families. I admired Carmen for her newfound confidence and love of learning; I appreciated Beatriz's unexpected kindness; and I applauded General Benjamin's orders to take the captives outdoors.
These characters overcame all odds--fears, language barriers, and confinement. Reaching out to others for companionship, they also learned to love something new about themselves. Ruben took pride in menial work; Roxane taught her skill to another; and Cesar found his voice. And, of course, some found love in the most unlikely places and people.
Like many others, I found the epilogue needless. Not only was it unexpected, but it did not further my understanding of the new lives of the characters. Yet, I forgive Patchett; I savored each word before the epilogue, and I must accept those four pages as part of it. If I take something from the ending, I take hope. Life goes on, and so does the love that grew in an unlikely place. These relationships--these lives-- will be remembered.
This was an unforgettable story--both tragic and heroic. I highly recommend this book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Loved the book, just not the ending
Comment: I thought that Bel Canto was beautifully written. It's an original, elegant novel about a group of strangers held hostage by a group of kidnappers. I thought that the characters were excellent. The plot moved well, and the writing was just fantastic. My only gripe has to do with the last three pages, which I felt weren't realistic. I won't spoil anything, though.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Awesome! You won't be able to put it down!
Comment: This small book is a wonder - a beautiful character study and a story that grabs you from the first sentence. The author's attention to detail is wonderous, yet the story never bogs down. I loved it all, but must agree with some reviewers that the ending was a bit of a let-down. High recommendation for book discussion groups.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Almost spectacular
Comment: For me this was one of those books where the story did not match the brilliance of the writing. That opinion, however, may have been influenced by the fact that, just as I began reading, someone gave me a very good idea what to expect at the end. It's hard to know how I would have felt about the story without that unwelcome advance knowledge (Spoilers should have their mouths taped shut!!).
The writing was indeed beautiful, and the story was compelling, but there were a few parts that seemed just a bit too preposterous and the ending was too abrupt for my taste (no spoilers here!). For one thing, I think she would have been better off focusing on fewer characters and developing them a bit more.
Still, I would recommend this book without reservation to those who love contemporary literary fiction. I will certainly read more of her books.
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