Bel Canto

Author(s): Ann Patchett

Popular Fiction

Now a major motion picture starring Julianne Moore and Ken Watanabe. New York Times Bestseller Ann Patchett's award winning, bestselling novel thatbalances themes of love and crisis as disparate characters learn that music is their only common language--now a major motion picture starring Julianne Moore and Ken Watanabe. "Blissfully romantic.... A terrific, spellcasting story." -- San Francisco Chronicle Somewhere in South America, at the home of the country's vice president, a lavish birthday party is being held in honor of the powerful businessman Mr. Hosokawa. Roxanne Coss, opera's most revered soprano, has mesmerized the international guests with her singing. It is a perfect evening--until a band of gun-wielding terrorists takes the entire party hostage. But what begins as a panicked, life-threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different, a moment of great beauty, as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds and people from different continents become compatriots, intimate friends, and lovers.  


Product Information

Winner of PEN / Faulkner Award for Fiction 2002 and Orange Prize for Fiction 2002 and Orange Prize 2002. Shortlisted for International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2003.

'A beguiling mix of thriller, romantic comedy, and novel of ideas...Crisply written, immaculately plotted, and often very funny, it is that rarity -- a literary novel you simply can't put down.' The Times 'Like the blueprint of operatic performance that she has imported, Patchett slides from strutting camp to high tragedy, minute social comedy to sublime romanticism.' Alex Clark, The Guardian 'Expect miracles when you read Ann Patchett's fiction. Comparisons are tempting to the unabashed romanticism of Laurie Colwin, the eccentric characters of Anne Tyler, the enchantments of Alice Hoffman. But Patchett is unique; a generous, fearless and startlingly wise young writer.' NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW OF BOOKS

Originally from Los Angeles, Ann Patchett has also written The Magician's Assistant and The Patron Saint of Liars. She lives in Nashville and is the Tennessee Williams Fellow in Creative Writing at the University of the South.

General Fields

  • : 9781841155838
  • : HarperCollins Publishers
  • : 4th Estate GB
  • : 0.232
  • : July 2002
  • : 197mm X 130mm
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Ann Patchett
  • : Paperback
  • : English
  • : 813/.54
  • : very good
  • : 336
  • : FA