Bel Canto

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.

Background: The story is based on the Lima Crisis of 1996 in which high profile businessmen and government leaders were held captive for six months. Bel Canto adds in the element of opera with the addition of a soprano added to the list of hostages.

Non-Spoiler Summary: In an attempt to attract new industry, a small South American country gives a birthday party for the Japanese CEO of the world's largest electronics company and invites his favorite opera singer - the world's greatest soprano to sing for him. 192 high profile guests arrive at the vice-presidential mansion for dinner and music. The country's president skips the event claiming he needs to work. In fact, he refuses to go because the party is on a Tuesday - the same day that his favorite soap opera is televised. (The whole country stops for this particular soap). The terrorists invade the party planning to kidnap the president and take him to the jungle while they negotiate their demands. But they are completely at a loss when they discover that he is not present. Without a plan B, they decide to stay-put with the guests and use them as hostages.Being rational (as opposed to violent) terrorists, they do not kill their hostages and a stalemate ensues. The story plays out over several months. Hostages and terrorists live in peace and even become friends. But the situation cannot last, and the explosive ending (revealed early on) changes everyone's life forever.

Reading Experience: Fascinating book. It's a well told, gripping story. This felt like a woman's rendition of a hostage crisis, making it more accessible to me. But I'm not sure that the typical male reader (my husband, for example!) would find it as entertaining. 316 pages.