Play Book Tag discussion

I read this book earlier this month, but November had been insane and I'm only now sitting down to sneak a review or two...
(and it was supposed to be the restful month after crazy october and before busy december )

I thought it was smoothly written and interesting book, but I didn't find it super fascinating.
I love classical music, but I don't know if music sang by professional musicians is as transformative as the book suggested. Still thinking about it. That would be interesting discussion to have...
I'm part of the parents group that organizes the extra music stuff at our primary school and believe music makes difference for the kids (Also thinking about Daniel Barenboim orchestra that combines israelies and arabs).

But in the book, falling in love with music and with the opera singer created some kind of a utopia - which I find a bit far fetched.

the premise:
At an unnamed poor south american country, the president organizes a birthday party to a japanese businessman - mr Hosokawa in hope he will open factories in that country. The opera singer is invited to 'lure' Hosokawa. The international community is invited to the party. ambassadors, millionaires, other entrepreneurs.
Also in attendance - a bunch of young terrorists hiding in the air vents and planning to kidnap the president.
Not in attendance - The president.

It's a badly planned hijack that falls apart.
The terrorists, the important international people and the opera singer end up in a siege for months.

The terrorists and few others speak spanish.
The international guests speak Russian, French, Japanese, english etc.
It's a tower of babel with only one translator connecting them.
And music of course - as an international language. (they also communicate through cooking, and chess... and looove)

So that's it. things happen. some harmonious and sweet. some funny. some sad.

The author has interesting ideas and she investigates them from many direction.
I enjoyed her ideas on communication and lack of it.
The Utopian society was heart warming.
It was all lovely, but it felt very implausible.

Love your review.

It did feel implausible in some ways, but was actually based on a true event. In 1996 a terrorist group took over the Japanese embassy in Lima, Peru.

I lived in Caracas for a year when my husband was playing in an opera orchestra there. I didn't have any problem believing the personal dynamics or the musical details.

I loved this book - so beautiful!

Jgrace wrote: "Love your review.

It did feel implausible in some ways, but was actually based on a true event. In 1996 a terrorist group took over the Japanese embassy in Lima, Peru.

I lived in Caracas for a..."

Jgrace a year in Caracas sounds cool! (Also a musician partner).

Regarding music and change - there is a sweet documentary called 'landfill harmonic' about a group of kids that live in poverty with their families who work on a landfill site and someone builds them instruments from things they find in the rubbish piles. Music makes a huge difference for sure.

I knew the story was based on a real event, but I assumed the hostage/terrorists relationships were all fictional.
I guess Stockholm syndrome would kick in and help as well

I have definitely experienced transformative musical performances - all at opera or recitals by opera singers. That was totally believable to me, and the ability of people to create community in adversity as well.

Theresa, you might like then the Chilbury Ladies Choir. I also thought of you the second I pressed send on the December thread. You might like to join us for Astrophysics for people in a hurry since like six of us are reading it together. If it’s a buddy read, perhaps we can entice you - since you don’t have another idea lined up...

Idit wrote: "Jgrace wrote: "Love your review.

It did feel implausible in some ways, but was actually based on a true event. In 1996 a terrorist group took over the Japanese embassy in Lima, Peru.

I lived i..."

Actually, the time in Caracas wasn't terribly cool. It was stressful, but it was 1980 and we were very young. This book did bring back parts of that experience. It's been a while since I read it, but I thought Pratchett completely nailed the dedication/self absorption of the opera diva. There were also characters who devoted themselves to this soloist in order to support her art. Highly talented people have to have their self-effacing backup staff.

I can also believe in the powerful effect the music could have on all of the people trapped in this situation, especially those who had no previous experience with something as emotional as high opera. If I'm remembering correctly, the crowd in this hostage situation was multilingual. Sounds trite, but music is a universal language.

Jgrace wrote: "Idit wrote: "Jgrace wrote: "Love your review.

It did feel implausible in some ways, but was actually based on a true event. In 1996 a terrorist group took over the Japanese embassy in Lima, Peru..."

Well - now that you both write it... I'm getting convinced.
I really did like the community they created. It was very sweet when Gen (the translator) tells the hostage expert that they are happy just to stay there, and the expert looks at him like he lost his mind - does he expect the world to just let this place exist frozen in time and protected from the real world.

and you do remember correctly. the idea of alternative ways of communication is a very important one in the book.
Language is shown as divisive
cooking, playing chess and soccer, listening to music are universal.

I own this on ebook and keep meaning to get to it - I’m sure it’s an option on one of my challenge lists too. Maybe December :)

Can someone create a few more hours in the day, thanks

KateNZ wrote: "I own this on ebook and keep meaning to get to it - I’m sure it’s an option on one of my challenge lists too. Maybe December :)

Can someone create a few more hours in the day, thanks"

I just picked upThe Whimsic Alley Book of Spells: Mythical Incantations for Wizards of All Ages for my grand-niece-I will see what I can do⏰😁

Amy wrote: "Theresa, you might like then the Chilbury Ladies Choir. I also thought of you the second I pressed send on the December thread. You might like to join us for Astrophysics for people in a hurry sinc..."

I have Chilbury in that teetering TBR mountain on my bedside table. Right now I'm searching for which pile in my apartment is hiding Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk as I want to read it New Year's Day...and it might take all month to find my copy, LOL.

I will consider joining in on Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. When I added it to my GR Want to Read just now, noticed that a friend read it and gave it 5 stars. However, after I finish my current literary fiction read, I'm plunging into Christmas cozies and romances for which I have a serious addiction...I figure 2 weeks of those will probably have me desperate for something with a little more substance ROFL! So that might be when Astrophysics gets read.

KateNZ wrote: "I own this on ebook and keep meaning to get to it - I’m sure it’s an option on one of my challenge lists too. Maybe December :)

Can someone create a few more hours in the day, thanks"

I own a nightshirt that says "I need a day between Saturday and Sunday". So far, it hasn't delivered.

Well the nightshirt is a good start!!

I want that night shirt too! I have the ebook as well but always seem to choose something else. I really enjoyed Commonwealth so I’m looking forward to reading more of her writing.

Susie wrote: "I want that night shirt too! I have the ebook as well but always seem to choose something else. I really enjoyed Commonwealth so I’m looking forward to reading more of her writing."

I didn't realize she wrote Commonwealth. I'm always tempted by the cover of that book

and yes. I'm not sure why they hadn't added 3 hours a day years ago (strictly time for wasting. nothing useful allowed)