Book Review: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Book: 47/100

Rating: 4/5

Read this one if you: enjoy lyrical writing, are looking for a #quaranread, and craving some literary fiction.

Summary: In an unnamed South American country, a birthday party full of international guests is taken hostage by a terrorist group. While they were hoping to kidnap the President, who at the last minute decided not to come to the party so he could watch his favourite soap opera, the terrorists decide to just take the whole party hostage.

Throughout the next few months, relationships form between the hostages and captors: not just romantic, but paternal, friendships, and respect. The one thing in particular that brings the group together is Roxane Coss, a world renowned opera singer, who brings this unlikely group of people together over her incredible talent.

Thoughts: I picked this book up recently from a local bookstore (a safe, social distance, curbside pick-up or course!) last week and it didn’t take me long to pick up. It’s a really great book to get lost in and a great read for right now: about how an unlikely community forms in an unprecedented situation. Humanity prevails in some ways when you think it wouldn't, and a mutual love and respect for the arts (in this case, opera), shines through.

Buy it/loan it/skip it? Buy it! I am slowly starting to collect all of Patchett's backlist. She is an author I definitely want featured on my bookshelves.