Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

"These people are amateurs. The ones in here as well as the ones outside"

Perhaps reading a book about a kidnapping by terrorists was not the best choice of reading material before jetting off to Europe for a holiday. Notwithstanding, Bel Canto,  is an intriguing novel that draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Part thriller, part musical odyssey thanks to the transformative voice of opera singer, Roxane Coss - one of the key characters of the tale.
Successful businessman, Katsumi Hosokawa is drawn to a South American country's Vice President's house for a birthday party in his honour. His presence is based solely on the ability to meet and be entertained by the world renowned soprano, Roxanne Coss. When the party is taken over by terrorists an atmosphere of guilt, fear and unexpected romantic interludes takes over and the story wafts through the air ike any grand opera.

I am not going to give any more away on this one. You will just have to seek it out. I think perhaps I took off 1 star, because the idea of armed crazy people is something peppering the news of late and not an idea I wanted to spend much time considering.


4 out of 5 parties end badly.