Bel Canto

Thoughts on Bel Canto from Joan Habel

Ann Patchell’s Bel Canto seems to be character driven.  The quiet dignity of the Oriental persona is exemplified in the characters of Gen, Hosokawa, and Kato.  Their behavior creates a calming effect on the volatile hostage taking.  The situation immediately creates an unexpected reaction — not panic, as one might expect.  Instead, contemplation and clarity of […]


A greater tragedy

A greater tragedy

Warning: as we’re quickly approaching the end of the month I felt it would be all right to begin discussing the end of the novel.  If you haven’t finished reading yet, you might wish to read the post at a later date as it does contain spoilers! When I first began reading Bel Canto, I […]


Bel Canto: Clarity, Despite the Fog

Bel Canto: Clarity, Despite the Fog

There’s so much to unpack in this story: a sense of irony, rich juxtapositions of characters and images, and a mastery of metaphor. And it’s the latter that has me most intrigued. More specifically, the garua, the misty, grey fog that hangs about the mansion, ties to so many elements of the story. It firmly […]


General Impressions and Response to Kate

General Impressions and Response to Kate

While reading Bel Canto, one of the first things I noticed was that the book is written using a third person omniscient narrator. This allows Patchett a great amount of freedom in her narration; she is not limited by a particular character’s perspective, and she can delve into people’s thoughts and minds. This stylistic choice […]


Understanding

Understanding

Thank you Carrie for choosing such a WONDERFUL book to start the summer reading!  Bel Canto offers everything an astute and engaged reader may look for: excitement, mystery, intrigue, romance, beautiful language and unique, one-of-a-kind characters.  Mr. Hosokawa’s situation is tragic, yet his passion and loyalty to his love of opera is something that gives […]


Thanks, Carrie!

Ordered Bel Canto yesterday from Amazon.  Should be here tomorrow.  A very interesting range of comments on the text among Amazon reviewers.  I’m looking forward to reading it for myself! Tom


June: Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto

June: Ann Patchett's Bel Canto

Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto won both the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize in 2002 and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Named the Book Sense Book of the Year, the novel sold over a million copies in the United States and has been translated into thirty languages. Here’s a description of the […]


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