Rating: 
Summary: A stunning triumph!
Review: What an accomplished writer Ms. Patchett is to portray so viidly, and wih such grace, so many different cultures. The plot is wholly original and compelling, the most entertaining book I've read in years. A novel that deserves to be a bestseller.
Rating: 
Summary: Suspensful tale salted with a little opera.
Review: Couldn't put the book down as the suspense was skillfully built to a cresendo. Enjoyed the descriptive writing and characters. As an opera buff all my life, the book's premise was interesting and new. The passion of those of us who dearly love the highest form of performing art, and why, appeared in a few appropriate places in the book. Not great literature, but a great summer read for situation, characters, suspense and descriptions that spark the imagination; sprinkled with a few operaisms. Would recommed it to any of my friends (most of whom love opera). Non opera buffs will enjoy just as a good tale. As a trained opera singer, I am used to reading nonfiction regarding my main passion so it was wonderful to read a novel that included it as a core to the story. Fun to speculate about a movie! I hate most of what is on the screen and seldom go. I would probably go see it, especially if it starred Renee Fleming! Glad so many others enjoyed reading it too! I have certainly read worse books that landed on best seller list. Maybe this will make it when readers recommend to others. I recommend!
Rating:
Summary: Graceful and transcendent
Review: This is a beautiful novel. I was transported into Ms. Patchett's unusual premise, and didn't want the book to end. Her ability to put the reader into each character's internal world with such force and believability is amazing. I was in love with each character, as the author clearly was as well. This story will carry you away.
Rating:
Summary: a stunning achievement
Review: Ann Patchett makes startling leaps forward in her craft with each subsequent book. This, following the gorgeous MAGICIAN'S ASSITANT, is no exception. To read BEL CANTO is to be divided in two; half of you falls headfirst into the world of the story, the other half sits back and admires the artistry of the book, as if it were that painting in the museum that compells you to stand and admire it. It is a book to fall in love with, but every once in a while, you pause, shake your head, and think, "This is art."
Rating:
Summary: Five stars---no less
Review: Engaging and informative, well-written and yet prosaic, brilliant and moving, anyone who criticizes this book for not being "realistic" or that it doesn't have any action completely missed the point. This is a fantasy whose purpose seems to be to create a picture of what peace would look like...metaphorically. Instead of boring details about how the negotiations are going (which we hear about in the real world every five minutes on the news), Ann Patchett paints an imaginary picture of what might happen if people let their humanity, rather than their political agenda, dictate their actions. I was enthralled with every character from beginning to end. Did I once care whether any of it could actually happen? No. This book was such a relief from the nonstop barrage of "reality" we've been forced to swallow lately. But there was truth here that went far beyond the limits of "reality." By the end of the book I loved all the characters because Ann Patchett truly understands the human soul and she depicted it with stunning clarity. Engage your ability to imagine, and read this book. Also would recommend another Amazon read: "THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD."
Rating:
Summary: Perfect pitch
Review: This is a beautifully-written novel, one in which the reader can empathize with all the main characters, "good" or "bad." Given the vast range of reviews here ("Fantastic!" "Boring"), it would seem that this book either hits you powerfully or totally misses its mark. For me, it worked. This book is full of so many wonderful small scenes and moments, sewn together in a beautiful tapestry, that I truly did not want the book to end. If you're looking for action, possibly pass this one by. If, however, you're interested in books exploring complex relationships forged under even more complex situations, then I suspect you'll enjoy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: If music be the food of love...
Review: Spellbinding! Ann Patchett's "Bel Canto" employs a hostage-taking in an unnamed South American country as a departure point for one of the most original and affecting romances I've read since Michael Ondaatje's "English Patient." As the story begins, Roxane Coss, America's most beloved soprano, has been invited to perform at the home of the country's vice president in order to lure an opera-mad Japanese CEO into opening a factory there. No sooner is her performance over when the house is stormed by revolutionaries, who lay siege to the house for weeks and months to come. As might be expected, such captivity promotes the unlikeliest of alliances... To say more would be to spoil what follows. Suffice it to say that, much like the character of Roxane Coss herself, Ann Patchett exhibits such facility with her art as to extract all of the beauty and insight from this ludicrous, unappealing, and frankly unromantic scenario. Upon reading the first fifty or so pages, skeptics (myself included) will doubt whether Patchett can sustain her high-concept high-wire act to arrive at a suitable finish. They needn't worry; this is altogether an amazing and amazingly-written book. Brava!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful novel
Review: This is a beautiful and startlingly original novel. A party of 200 people in a South American country is taken hostage by rebels, but things don't go as planned and the rebels/hostages are locked inside the house for an extended period of time. Unexpectedly, relationships develop between some of the hostages and their captors, and the dynamics within the house change. Patchett draws you into the book with interesting, sympathetic characters, and I found myself completely carried away by the story.
Rating:
Summary: incredible writing
Review: I loved this book. I couldn't wait to get to it in the evening and then was sorry when it was over. I re-read parts to keep it going in my mind. The character development was convincing and I equated Roxanne with Sarah Brightman and the impact she might have on a group of hostages, placing myself in the room. The ending was shocking to me although I ended up thinking it was logical. Afterwards I could not imagine any other ending making better sense, and that's the kind of book I quite enjoy. It was well worth the read and highly recommended. I only gave it a 4 instead of 5 because there were some slow parts that dragged on a little. However, loved the book.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful story-- along with a complaint
Review: First off, I want to say that I adored this audiobook -- I also read the paperback version. It is a most unusual story, and so very compelling. I felt I truly got to know every character in the story, and am eager now to read Patchett's other works. As for the ending, I thought it made perfect sense, and it was rather satisfying in my opinion.
However, my complaint... is with the reviewers who have come before me. What on earth makes you think that it is okay to reveal endings in the reviews? I am SO thankful I hadn't read any of your reviews! It is outrageous that a reviewer would spoil a "surprise" ending in the manner some have done here. Very selfish indeed. If you want to talk about the book, then subscribe to an email book club -- I can refer you to many! But for crying out loud, don't do it in a review!
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