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chrisfish95's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jessbslide's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
elsafenander's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
reecebrandon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
jennshappyplace's review against another edition
3.5
I hesitated picking up this book. I don’t know anything about opera and the hostage situation wasn’t a pull either. However, Ann Patchett has written some of my favorite books I’ve read in the last few years so because of that I picked this one up. I wasn’t immediately sucked in but over time I found I really wanted to know what happened to the characters. I listened to this one but I think because of all the different characters it made it hard to follow sometimes. However, overall I was amazed with how the author wove the story. I was sad when it was over. My biggest complaints either the ending is it’s too abrupt and that we don’t know what happens to more of the characters. This isn’t my favorite Ann Patchett but I’m really glad I read it.
vickeyfoggin's review against another edition
4.0
Ann Patchett is a lyrical wordsmith who crafts gorgeous lines in each of her works. This is an almost mystical melodrama inspired by opera, soap opera, and the real-world takeover of the Japanese embassy in Peru. Time stops, love and friendship has a chance to bloom. It’s a beautiful story with amazingly crafted characters and a story you fall into. I ended up crying on the train as I read. I’m impressed that I consistently love reading what she writes, even when it is about themes I am not normally interested in. Only 4 stars because the tacked-on epilogue didn’t fit the rest of the story.
joumana's review against another edition
The pace of the story was too slow. I will try reading this book again later.
stingo's review against another edition
2.0
I hoped I'd like this book better than I do. I did not care too much about the characters, and given the plotting of the book, that would be where one would expect the most bang for the buck. However, despite that, I would have been inclined to give the book 3 stars but then the Epilogue sank that to a lucky 2.
paolas's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0