Play Book Tag discussion

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett - 4 stars

The plot of this book is almost like the response to an improvisational cue: “an opera singer and a terrorist – go!” It is so much more than a story of a singer, a group of terrorists, and diplomats being held hostage. If you are looking for an action-packed terrorist takeover thriller, seek it elsewhere. This story is more about human relationships.

A group of multinational diplomats, politicians, and business executives have gathered to celebrate the birthday of a Japanese electronics magnate being courted for the economic benefits he can bring to this unnamed South American country. The honoree, Katsumi Hosokawa, is accompanied by his translator. The highlight of the event involves an exclusive performance by a famous American opera singer, soprano Roxane Coss. Hosokawa has agreed to be honored at the luxurious home of the Vice President of the country, primarily to hear Miss Coss, his favorite opera singer. An unexpected hostage situation develops when revolutionaries invade the mansion. Their demands are initially denied, and an impasse ensues. As time passes, discipline among the revolutionaries becomes lax. Lines between the abductors and hostages blur, and unlikely relationships begin to form. A human drama unfolds, where emotional and psychological factors come into play. Of course, at some point the real world will have to be confronted.

About half way through, I had an epiphany. The book is not really about what is going on in the story. It is a comment on what makes us human, a moving portrait of what separates us and what brings us together, beautifully illustrated by the interactions among the terrorists and hostages. Themes include the transformative power of music, the need to be understood, the desire to learn, the need to connect, and the importance of teamwork. These people, thrown together by chance, build a subculture. Time becomes fluid. Consequences are forgotten. The beauty of music draws them together. They take time to reflect. Some turn to religion, some to philosophical discussions. They interact and find common bonds. Initially, everyone is concerned about being able to communicate in the traditional manner, and the translator is in demand. Eventually, the language barrier dissolves and they find other meaningful ways to communicate – gestures, actions, mutual appreciation of music, and even romantic love. It seeks to explore the common humanity among very different people.

The book starts off a bit slowly to formulate the relationships, but about half way through all the pieces start coming together. My only issue with it was the inclusion of an epilogue, which I thought detracted from the primary message. Recommended to readers that enjoy stories of the transformative power of music and love to bring people together, even in extreme circumstances.

Link to my Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Love your review. I owned the book for a decade before I read it, and then kicked myself for waiting so long!

I do think the epilogue was necessary because it demonstrated that after experiencing something like that hostage situation and its ending, your real world is never the same, and you need to continue a real life connection to that time.

Thanks, Theresa! I can see how the epilogue could be interpreted that way.

Good review! I’ve just finished the book as well and enjoyed it too (although more like 3.5-4 stars for me)

Regarding the epilogue - I’m guessing they both couldn’t relate to people who didn’t go through their experiences. And found some solace in being together

Thanks, Idit! Glad you enjoyed it too.

The epilogue just hit me the wrong way, as in I didn't see how it fit with the rest of the story, but I will choose to go with yours and Theresa's interpretation.

This would probably make a good group read.

I remember discussing it with a friend who had read it, and she actually put the epilogue into the best perspective: survivors of something horrific -- and the events in that book were horrific -- are forever changed in ways that are unseen and impossible to explain. Only others who have been through the same understand. We analogized it to the scene in Deer Hunter when De Niro's character returns from Vietnam and is sitting in the bar, unable to enjoy it and relate to everyone as he had before. Or that similar scene in LOTR - ROTK where Pippin, Merry, Sam and Frodo have returned home and are sitting in the bar where nothing has changed, but they have.

The epilogue is that moment.

See, this is why I prefer to discuss books I read! It's great to hear other viewpoints. I read this for an online book club, but there was very little discussion on the thread.

Fantastic book ... excellent review, Joy .... and great discussion here (as always).

Did anyone see the movie? I missed it.

I was not aware of the movie. I know it has been made into an opera, which I would love to experience.

I was just going to ask about this movie! Has it already come out and is out of theaters?!

Nicole R wrote: "I was just going to ask about this movie! Has it already come out and is out of theaters?!"

Came out in September and is already available to stream. I did not see it -- seems to have opened in theaters and disappeared really fast.

Joy D wrote: "I was not aware of the movie. I know it has been made into an opera, which I would love to experience."

The opera's world premiere was performed at Lyric Opera Chicago in 2015/16 season, and was taped and aired on PBS in 2016. I do not think it has been performed anywhere else yet. I'm ever hopeful that it will come to NYC, but I keep an eye on Toronto and English National Opera in London as many productions have moved between Chicago, Toronto, and London.

For now, it can probably be streamed since it was taped and aired.

Yes, I too would love to see the opera! I'm a big opera fan.

Thank you for the info, Theresa! My son is studying to be an opera singer (he's a tenor), so I'm always on the lookout for keeping up with what's going on in that realm. I was never into opera before, but now that my son is performing in various productions, I am appreciating it more and more. My best bet to see it would be if it comes to San Francisco.

Joy D wrote: "Thank you for the info, Theresa! My son is studying to be an opera singer (he's a tenor), so I'm always on the lookout for keeping up with what's going on in that realm. I was never into opera befo..."

OH, San Francisco has an excellent opera company and do some wonderful productions -- I remember when Dead Men Walking came to NYCO from SF...

It could very well end up there in the not too distant future. Opera seasons tend to be fixed several years in advance, so it may be a while before it appears elsewhere. On the West Coast, I'd also monitor Seattle Opera.

Best of luck to your son. Not an easy road, and he may end up with a career in Europe rather than in the US which is not a bad thing at all. Think of the great trips you'd be able to make.

Thanks, Theresa. Yes, opera is very popular in Europe.

Here's the link to the PBS showing of Bel Canto, the opera:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/bel-can...

Re the movie: Julianne Moore plays the lead role, but Renee Fleming does the singing.

Great book, love your review Joy, and agree that the epilogue was needed to show how after such trauma, only survivors of similar trauma can understand and connect.