Bel Canto

By: Ann Patchett

Narrated by: Anna Fields

Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

“Blissfully Romantic.... A strange, terrific, spellcasting story.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Bel Canto...should be on the list of every literate music lover. The story is riveting, the participants breathe and feel and are alive, and throughout this elegantly-told novel, music pours forth so splendidly that the reader hears it and is overwhelmed by its beauty.” (Lloyd Moss, WXQR)

“Glorious.” (The New Yorker)

Ann Patchett’s award winning, New York Times best-selling Bel Canto balances themes of love and crisis as disparate characters learn that music is their only common language. As in Pratchett’s other novels, including Truth & Beauty and The Magician’s Assistant, the author’s lyrical prose and lucid imagination make Bel Canto a captivating story of strength and frailty, love and imprisonment, and an inspiring tale of transcendent romance.

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©2001 Ann Patchett (P)2001 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

• 2002 Orange Prize for Fiction
• Book Sense Book of the Year Award Winner, Paperback, 2003
• PEN/Faulkner Award Winner, 2002

"Patchett can be counted on to deliver novels rich in imaginative bravado and psychological nuance. This fluid and assured narrative...demonstrates her growing maturity and mastery of form." (Publishers Weekly)
"Mixing art and politics can have unexpected results, but rarely are they so poignant....[Anna Fields'] performance is the essence of Bel Canto, easy, pure of tone, with an agile, precise vocal technique." (AudioFile)

A wonderful story and narration

Reading reviews,I understand this novel isn't for everyone, however, it struck me in the heart and has remained with me since I finished it-I haven't wanted to begin another audio book because I'm still living with the people in the Vice-President's house.

I suppose it is a Stockholm Syndrome story at heart, but along with this easy to condemn psychological reaction is a group of sub plots, each detailing the intimate details of a group of people taken out of their usually busy lives and thrown together for months due to mis-planning of a group of Generals who don't realize they have grabbed for more than is possible.

There are several star individuals, but my favorites are the young soldiers Carmen and Cesar-both innocent young teens who have been exposed to a part of the world they never imagined. Carmen to true love and Cesar to the opera as sung by Roxanne Cos, a renown singer brought to this house and kept as a prisoner who decides to practice every day.

Gen, the translator is the catalyst that binds all 50 people, who speak many different languages. He is written in a delightful manner and really pulls things together.

The story moves slowly, which will irritate those who want action in their stories I think, but for me it was perfectly paced. Anna Fields did a superb job of accents and detailing different characters. She puts each of the characters personalities clearly into her reading.

I don't give 5 stars often but this novel rates that in my opinion. If a complex plot is to your liking, one with many characters and details, you will probably appreciate this story.

I sure enjoyed it.

A Truly Beautiful Book

It's not often you find a book that has an excellent plot AND reads like poetry. I thought every sentence from this book was worth treasuring and pausing over, but I was so interested in seeing what was going to happen, that I rushed through it. Fortunately, I'll enjoy listening to it a second time just as much.

I loved all the well-developed characters, and it was so refreshing to read a book with such a unique premise.

This book had the effect of making me want to appreciate to the fullest every day of the rest of my life.

Bel Canto is an excellent novel.

The story is about a hostage situation in an unnamed South American country. The story is intricate and two love stories are intertwined with the plot. Anna Fields, the narrator, has a rather deep voice, but she really excels with male voices.

well worth it

The narrator does a really great job switching from voice to voice. I normally don't enjoy audible fiction as much because of how difficult it is to narrate dialogues in a convincing way. But this book was a pleasure.

My wife made me read this book.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. It was interesting to me the way the story evolved and moved along with really very little actually happening. IT was just a really interesting story. I'm really more of the mystery/action type listener. And there was no way to anticipate the ending.

Hypnotic story

I really enjoyed this book and felt that some of the reviews it received were not reflective of the strength of this wonderful author and the way in which the characters were carefully crafted and developed. The only weak spot, in my opinion, was the quality of the reader's voice that was somewhat monotone in nature and did not duplicate the tenderness and sensitivity of the text she was reading. Well worth reading.

Superb Narrator

Ann Fields is one of the best narrators I have heard yet. She does all manners of accents beautifully and effortlessly creates both feminine and masculine voices. I really liked the plot of this book and the character development and the way the people developed relationships within the house. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to hear something else narrated by Ms. Fields.

Beautifully Written

This book moved gradually, but better and better as it went forward. I got a little confused by all the names. I wanted to go out and get the paper book and read it again as soon as I was done. That said, I would highly recommend this to anyone who is enthralled with characters and an intricate but not complicated plot. I highly recommend.

One of the best ever

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you like a book of characters and character interaction, as well as surprise and suspense, you will love this book.

Any additional comments?

Do not be fooled by the surface situational description of this book as I was. I had owned it for years and never read it because I was not so interested in a book about hostages. However this book only uses the situation as a vehicle to explore human relationships and it is wonderful, gripping, and impossible to stop listening.

Top Ten

This book is on my top ten list of great books. Not one person I have talked with did not love the story and the narrator is great.