A dinner party held in celebration of Japanese businessman Katsumi Hosokawa, with his favorite opera singer Roxane Coss as entertainment, goes horribly awry when a group of terrorists capture all of the guests. Their target, the president, is not at the party. At a loss, the terrorists continue to hold the hostages and to everyone’s surprise, an entire world develops in this one large house.
This is a compelling and intricate novel, full of unexpected little details. I’m not sure that it’s realistic, but it tries its best to show us the universality of human nature. Terrorists got on just well with multi-millionaires; people are more than just their day jobs. I think that’s really what this book is about. People have vast dimensions that are invisible to those around them until crisis brings them out.
Not much else to say really; this book left me reeling for a few days and I struggled to get into my next read; I’m not sure I’ll call it one of my favorites of the year, but it’s deeply moving and I would definitely recommend it.
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Thanks for the review. I had no idea that is what that book’s about. I really want to read it now.
This is one I really want to read and your review makes me more eager to give it a try.
Meghan – this is a well-written review! I especially like your insight that “people have vast dimensions that are invisible to those around them until crisis brings them out.”
I reviewed *Bel Canto* here on my blog earlier this year. It was a re-read for me, and I enjoyed it as much on the second reading (several years after the first). My favorite book by Ann Patchett (so far!)
This book is one of my all-time favorites. The ending definitely leaves you reeling.
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for this review. I’ve had this on my radar for a while, but I haven’t been motivated to track it down. You’ve made me reconsider.
I loved this book,it was among my top three the year I read it. Your review makes me want to experience it again.
Thanks for reviewing it.