Bel Canto
An odd and engaging love story in a rather contrived situation of an audience for an opera performance which is taken hostage by anti-government rebels. The political situation leading to the hostage taking in the unidentified South American country and the protracted negotiations over several months are not the focus of the story. Instead, the situation is effectively a literary experiment to isolate a bunch of mostly strangers from diverse cultures and have them become a microcosm of human nat
...ure. The insurgents had intended to capture the President of the country as part of a coup, but instead they have ended up with only the unimportant Vice President and, after letting wives and workers leave, about 30 foreign diplomats and businessmen and an opera singer. The singer, Roxanne, is an American diva who captivates everyone, and her daily singing is a civilizing factor for the narrow, absurd, and dangerous situation they all find themselves in. The other main character is Gen, a translator for a Japanese businessman who soon becomes tasked with translating among all parties. The tale highlights the wonderful qualities of human kindness and ability to love in a situation of adversity. As in anyones life, many characters and the reader hope to linger and not face the ultimate resolution.
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Guest 6 years ago
Just finished this book and had totally bought into the possibility that somehow the resolution could have been as transformative for the outside world as it had been for the inside world of the household. I was truly hoping for a different ending. didn't much care for the last chapter - felt Gen chose the only substitute available to continue living the fantasy. still I would read other offerings by this author
Guest 6 years ago
I loved her book State of Wonder, but I just could not get into this book even with all the beautiful writing. It's set in a South American country and tells the story of a group of individuals who are invited to the home of the vice president to hear an opera singer. However, it all goes terribly wrong when a group of home-grown rebels invade the home and take the group hostage because they were hoping to kidnap the president!! The action is slow. I kept reading and reading hoping for something major to happen but it didn't unless you count the last two pages. Maybe I was expecting too much. It was the discussion book for my book group. The group assessment was split with the majority agreeing with me, but even after our discussion I can't give it more than two stars.
Guest 6 years ago
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