“Blissfully Romantic....A strange, terrific, spellcasting story.” — San Francisco Chronicle
“Bel Canto...should be on the list of every literate music lover. The story is riveting, the participants breathe and feel and are alive, and throughout this elegantly-told novel, music pours forth so splendidly that the reader hears it and is overwhelmed by its beauty.” —Lloyd Moss, WXQR
“Glorious.” —The New Yorker
Ann Pratchett’s award winning, New York Times bestselling Bel Canto balances themes of love and crisis as disparate characters learn that music is their only common language. As in Patchett’s other novels, including Truth & Beauty and The Magician’s Assistant, the author’s lyrical prose and lucid imagination make Bel Canto a captivating story of strength and frailty, love and imprisonment, and an inspiring tale of transcendent romance.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
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:
Never had he thought, never once, that such a woman existed, one who stood so close to God that God's own voice poured from her. How far she must have gone inside herself to call up that voice. It was as if the voice came from the center part of the earth and by the sheer effort and diligence of her will she had pulled it up through the dirt and rock and through the floorboards of the house, up into her feet, where it pulled through her, reaching, lifting, warmed by her, and then out of the white lily of her throat and straight to God in heaven.Joined by no common language except music, the 58 international hostages and their captors forge unexpected bonds. Time stands still, priorities rearrange themselves. Ultimately, of course, something has to give, even in a novel so imbued with the rich imaginative potential of magic realism. But in a fractious world, Bel Canto remains a gentle reminder of the transcendence of beauty and love. --Victoria Jenkins
Somewhere in South America at the home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful Japanese businessman. Roxanne Coss, opera's most revered soprano, has mesmerized the guests with her singing. It is a perfect evening -- until a band of terrorists breaks in, taking the entire party hostage.
But what begins as a life-threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different. Friendship, compassion, and the chance for great love lead the characters to forget the real danger that has been set in motion and cannot be stopped.
Ann Patchett has written a novel that is as lyrical and profound as it is unforgettable. Bel Canto is a virtuoso performance by one of our best and most important writers.
Performed by Anne Fields"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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Seller: Black Cat Hill Books, Oregon City, OR, U.S.A.
Audio Cassette. Eight Audio Cassette Tapes in Excellent condition. The tapes have probably been played but show no signs of it. These are housed in a white plastic clamshell style case with a colorful wrap-around promotional sheet by "Audio Adventures", a UK-based Audio company. The Cassettes themselves state Harper Audio and Blackstone Audiobooks, an Ashland, OR based company. Naturally, we are a bit confused. The case is in Very Good+ condition, showing a bit of buckling at the sides. Little wear overall. Everything considered, Very Good++ - Near Fine. But the tapes play well. Performed by Anna Fields. Twelve hours of listening pleasure. Audio Book: Cassette Tapes. Seller Inventory # 42282
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Seller: The Yard Sale Store, Narrowsburg, NY, U.S.A.
AUDIO CASSETTE. Condition: Good. 8 AUDIO CASSETTE EDITION. Some shelf wear to the covers. We will test each cassette, prior to shipping for a smooth sound. You will receive a reliable set. Enjoy this AUDIO CASSETTE TAPE performance for your home and library. Audio Book. Seller Inventory # 400220020215080
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Seller: The Book Junction, Shippensburg, PA, U.S.A.
8 Audio Cassettes. Condition: VG. Audiobook. Some wear to the box; cassettes in overall nice shape. Read by Anna Fields. Approximate running time = 12 hours. Seller Inventory # 21345
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Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 32-0694525332-G
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