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ekgreene's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The characters were so lovable and it was easy to empathize with them. This book succeeds where Anxious People by Fredrick Bachman fails. The situation was no very likely but the characters felt so real. I was so sad by how it ended but, really, what was I expecting for the situation.
sarahnipper's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my god. It took me a while, but I got through it. Breathless. The last 30 pages everything falls together and then apart. A future classic.
sarahh_connaughton1's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ssilberman's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ashleycornelius's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Can a novel about a long hostage situation be slow paced and all about the characters and their relationships? Really only Ann Patchett can do that. I highly enjoyed this book, but I did have to go read some online discussions about the epilogue because I was not expecting that.
10_4tina's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
4.4 - Winsome character development. Lyrical writing. Thought provoking.
I really enjoyed this recommendation from Jess and loved the uniquely written characters. I love stories based on real events and this one had similar vibes to Argo, one of my favorite movies.
A fifth grader once asked me, while reading together, who are the good guys? As I read Bel Canto, that question came to mind. I think that's winsome writing. I enjoy seeing humanity and beauty span across characters on opposing sides in a way that blurs the lines between good guys and bad guys. People across the lines were united in song, language, game, and daily work in ways that sometimes made the whole assemblage of characters feel like a group that podded together during a lockdown or something.
Did not love the ending.
2 favorite lines:
"I don't have any talent for vacations"
"Sleep was a country for which he could not obtain a visa."
I really enjoyed this recommendation from Jess and loved the uniquely written characters. I love stories based on real events and this one had similar vibes to Argo, one of my favorite movies.
A fifth grader once asked me, while reading together, who are the good guys? As I read Bel Canto, that question came to mind. I think that's winsome writing. I enjoy seeing humanity and beauty span across characters on opposing sides in a way that blurs the lines between good guys and bad guys. People across the lines were united in song, language, game, and daily work in ways that sometimes made the whole assemblage of characters feel like a group that podded together during a lockdown or something.
Did not love the ending.
2 favorite lines:
"I don't have any talent for vacations"
"Sleep was a country for which he could not obtain a visa."
jblum4's review against another edition
4.0
Well written but probably won't read again. I feel like the book's pacing is meant to make you feel what the hostages feel - time passes slowly in the moment but then all of a sudden weeks have gone by. Sad ending
hikeplayski's review against another edition
5.0
This book is just...lovely. It was the best kind of love story - full of character and connection and depth. A spectacular read not to be missed by anyone who loves fiction.
spatterson12's review against another edition
5.0
I had a good time with Bel Canto. It is the third pick in our local bookstore book club, and so far my favorite of our reads.
There were some very funny moments, whether I should've laughed as I did, I'm not sure, but again a good time.
For instance, the president of a country was invited to a birthday party. This party included important CEOs and business VPs, a famous opera singer, and other distinguished international guests. The president decided last minute to cancel because his soap opera had a new episode on that night and he NEEDED to know what was next for Maria.
Honestly, how the soap opera was low key threaded throughout the story was incredible. A weird comparison, but it reminded me of Horace and Jasper from 101 Dalmatians watching their gameshows while holding puppies hostage. Where here, the generals and their guerrillas were holding 40 party guests hostage for 4.5 months.
I loved the vice president, who in the first days of being held captive was comparing himself to the president, having a pity party about his title and his height, but then saying the current president can't even give a speech by himself. It was in his storylines that I started to think how self absorbed one must be for survival. The man is literally being held hostage, and here he is upset that no one is asking him for direction or to take charge. Sir, just do it.
Then we have Mr. Birthday Boy himself, Hosokawa who didn't even want to go to this event. They kept pushing to have him visit and he finally agreed if they could get his favorite opera singer, Roxanne, to attend. He faked considering doing business in this country, just so he could meet her in real life. What an icon. Also, he didn't even like the Roxanne's performance because the acoustics were terrible in the house.
I clearly binged this read because my time optimism never fails. With that in mind I could see if I spaced out and read this slower, I wouldn't have committed to five stars, maybe more of a four. The adrenaline was there for me in this time crunch. I laughed, I judged, I questioned.
The story is about a hostage situation gone awry because the attackers intended to capture the president from this party and scoot out in seven minutes. But TV is king and what should've been a chill afternoon turned into an ethically complex situation that lasted entirely too long.
Also, Gen is the MVP. How is this man going to translate for everyone at all times and not spiral out of control. I would've been annoyed with everyone by hour three.
Oh, and Simon. A king who loved and missed his wife. He was probably the most ethically sound who just wanted to teach people how to work a TV and how to skin an eggplant. The basics life has to offer.
There were some very funny moments, whether I should've laughed as I did, I'm not sure, but again a good time.
For instance, the president of a country was invited to a birthday party. This party included important CEOs and business VPs, a famous opera singer, and other distinguished international guests. The president decided last minute to cancel because his soap opera had a new episode on that night and he NEEDED to know what was next for Maria.
Honestly, how the soap opera was low key threaded throughout the story was incredible. A weird comparison, but it reminded me of Horace and Jasper from 101 Dalmatians watching their gameshows while holding puppies hostage. Where here, the generals and their guerrillas were holding 40 party guests hostage for 4.5 months.
I loved the vice president, who in the first days of being held captive was comparing himself to the president, having a pity party about his title and his height, but then saying the current president can't even give a speech by himself. It was in his storylines that I started to think how self absorbed one must be for survival. The man is literally being held hostage, and here he is upset that no one is asking him for direction or to take charge. Sir, just do it.
Then we have Mr. Birthday Boy himself, Hosokawa who didn't even want to go to this event. They kept pushing to have him visit and he finally agreed if they could get his favorite opera singer, Roxanne, to attend. He faked considering doing business in this country, just so he could meet her in real life. What an icon. Also, he didn't even like the Roxanne's performance because the acoustics were terrible in the house.
I clearly binged this read because my time optimism never fails. With that in mind I could see if I spaced out and read this slower, I wouldn't have committed to five stars, maybe more of a four. The adrenaline was there for me in this time crunch. I laughed, I judged, I questioned.
The story is about a hostage situation gone awry because the attackers intended to capture the president from this party and scoot out in seven minutes. But TV is king and what should've been a chill afternoon turned into an ethically complex situation that lasted entirely too long.
Also, Gen is the MVP. How is this man going to translate for everyone at all times and not spiral out of control. I would've been annoyed with everyone by hour three.
Oh, and Simon. A king who loved and missed his wife. He was probably the most ethically sound who just wanted to teach people how to work a TV and how to skin an eggplant. The basics life has to offer.
dev921's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cursing, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Gun violence, and Child death