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Bel Canto

by Ann Patchett
Bel Canto
Bel Canto

Opera, hostages, unexpected bonds, cultural convergence.

If you're intrigued by stories where ordinary events spiral into extraordinary situations, "Bel Canto" might just captivate you. Imagine a mundane event flipping into a hostage crisis, where the suspense of survival slowly gives way to deep human connection across cultures. It’s a tale that suggests even in dire circumstances, there’s room for beauty and love.

  • Orange Prize for Fiction (2002)
  • Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Paperback (2003)
  • PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction (2002)
  • National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Fiction (2001)
  • Dublin Literary Award Nominee for Shortlist (2003)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

Bel Canto

by Ann Patchett
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

Books in Like New Condition

This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

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ISBN: 9780060934415
Authors: Ann Patchett
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Date of Publication: 2002-04-01
Format: Paperback
Related Collections: Literary Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Historical Fiction
Related Topics: Literature, Japanese Literature, Asian Literature
Goodreads rating: 3.94
(rated by 312242 readers)

Description

In an unnamed South American country, a world-renowned soprano sings at a birthday party in honor of a visiting Japanese industrial titan. His hosts hope that Mr. Hosokawa can be persuaded to build a factory in their Third World backwater. Alas, in the opening sequence, just as the accompanist kisses the soprano, a ragtag band of 18 terrorists enters the vice-presidential mansion through the air conditioning ducts. Their quarry is the president, who has unfortunately stayed home to watch a favorite soap opera. And thus, from the beginning, things go awry. Among the hostages are not only Hosokawa and Roxane Coss, the American soprano, but an assortment of Russian, Italian, and French diplomatic types. Reuben Iglesias, the diminutive and gracious vice president, quickly gets sideways of the kidnappers, who have no interest in him whatsoever. Meanwhile, a Swiss Red Cross negotiator named Joachim Messner is roped into service while vacationing. He comes and goes, wrangling over terms and demands, and the days stretch into weeks, the weeks into months. With the omniscience of magic realism, Ann Patchett flits in and out of the hearts and psyches of hostage and terrorist alike, and in doing so reveals a profound, shared humanity. Her voice is suitably lyrical, melodic, full of warmth and compassion. Hearing opera sung live for the first time, a young priest reflects
 

Opera, hostages, unexpected bonds, cultural convergence.

If you're intrigued by stories where ordinary events spiral into extraordinary situations, "Bel Canto" might just captivate you. Imagine a mundane event flipping into a hostage crisis, where the suspense of survival slowly gives way to deep human connection across cultures. It’s a tale that suggests even in dire circumstances, there’s room for beauty and love.

  • Orange Prize for Fiction (2002)
  • Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Paperback (2003)
  • PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction (2002)
  • National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Fiction (2001)
  • Dublin Literary Award Nominee for Shortlist (2003)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.