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Among the hostages are not only Hosokawa and Roxanne Coss, the American soprano, but an assortment of Russian, Italian and French diplomats. A Swiss Red Cross negotiator named Joachim Messner is roped into service while on holiday. He comes and goes, wrangling over terms and demands, and the days stretch into weeks, the weeks into months.
With the omniscience of magic realism, Ann Patchett flits in and out of the hearts and psyches of hostage and terrorist alike, and in doing so reveals a profound, shared humanity. Her voice is suitably lyrical, melodic, full of warmth and compassion. Hearing opera sung live for the first time, a young priest reflects:
Never had he thought, never once, that such a woman existed, one who stood so close to God that God's own voice poured from her. How far she must have gone inside herself to call up that voice. It was as if the voice came from the centre part of the earth and by the sheer effort and diligence of her will she had pulled it up through the dirt and rock and through the floorboards of the house, up into her feet, where it pulled through her, reaching, lifting, warmed by her, and then out of the white lily of her throat and straight to God in heaven.Joined by no common language except music, the 58 international hostages and their captors forge unexpected bonds. Ultimately, of course, something has to give, even in a novel so imbued with the rich imaginative potential of magic realism. But in a fractious world, Bel Canto remains a gentle reminder of the transcendence of beauty and love. --Victoria Jenkins, Amazon.com
""Bel Canto has all the qualities one has come to expect from a classic Ann Patchett novel: grace, beauty, elegance, and magic."-- Madison Smartt Bell
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Book Description Audio Cassette. Eight Audio Cassette Tapes in Excellent condition. The tapes have probably been played but show no signs of it. These are housed in a white plastic clamshell style case with a colorful wrap-around promotional sheet by "Audio Adventures", a UK-based Audio company. The Cassettes themselves state Harper Audio and Blackstone Audiobooks, an Ashland, OR based company. Naturally, we are a bit confused. The case is in Very Good+ condition, showing a bit of buckling at the sides. Little wear overall. Everything considered, Very Good++ - Near Fine. But the tapes play well. Performed by Anna Fields. Twelve hours of listening pleasure. Audio Book: Cassette Tapes. Seller Inventory # 42282
Book Description AUDIO CASSETTE. Condition: Good. 8 AUDIO CASSETTE EDITION. Some shelf wear to the covers. We will test each cassette, prior to shipping for a smooth sound. You will receive a reliable set. Enjoy this AUDIO CASSETTE TAPE performance for your home and library. Audio Book. Seller Inventory # 400220020215080
Book Description 8 Audio Cassettes. Condition: VG. Audiobook. Some wear to the box; cassettes in overall nice shape. Read by Anna Fields. Approximate running time = 12 hours. Seller Inventory # 21345