Bel Canto

by Ann Patchett
4 Stars
Setting: South America
318 pages
Published 2001

Ellie's Review
While I felt it dragged a bit about 1/3 through the book, when I finished it I was actually sad it was over. In all, I really enjoyed it. Patchett spun an interesting tale about various individuals being thrown together in a high stress environment.

Book Summary
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.