Scan barcode
A review by spatterson12
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
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.