“Wow Caitlyn! A review? One we didn’t have to wait three months for?” Yes, yes. Summer is just around the corner, and my last “serious” project is printing as we speak, ready to be turned in and graded. What better way to settle into summer than a h
eadstart on my summer reading list?
Rachel’s review of Bel Canto caught my eye, and the title stuck with me as I shopped for books. It seemed interesting enough, so I bought it. It didn’t disappoint. Ann Patchett has a knack for descriptions, which I can certainly appreciate. She was vivid and detailed, but not boring. The book certainly isn’t “action packed”, but it is an interesting insight to the human mind. And it can be a little, mature, so viewer discretion is advised?
Bel Canto takes place in an unnamed, though poor, country in South America. In hopes of luring businss opportunities to their desperate domain, the government throws a large birthday party for 53 year old Mr. Hosokawa, a successful japanese businessman. Unbeknownst to them, Mr. Hosokawa can only be bothered to attend after he hears that his favorite opera singer, Roxane Coss, will be singing for him. After she takes a bow, the party is interrupted in the most unexpected of ways: a swarm of men with guns invading the room. The party crashers are members of a terrorist organization known as La Familia de Martin Suarez, who have come to kidnap the country’s president. Unfortunately, the president did not attend the birthday bash. Not knowing what else to do, the terrorists take control of the house, a situation that will span months. Terrorists and hostages will learn to cope with each other, live with each other, and eventually love each other. The end comes rather ubruptly, an event that will leave your head spinning.
From page one, this book has worked it’s way high up on my list of favorites. It’s beautifully written, the characters engaging, and the plot is wonderful. It’s well worth your time, and certainly won’t be a disappointment.
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