BBC: Bel Canto (Day 2)
Alright, I have to say, I loved our discussion yesterday!!! *big grin* Trollop and I are pleased that people are finally participating—as they should! *g* This is good. Good, good, good. Now that BBC is picking up, hmm, I’ll probably post additional pics of hot wanker this weekend... *wink*
Seriously, (saying this fast before Trollop catches me) Bel Canto is not one of those books that will end up in my keeper’s shelf—like I said, I only finished it as to not be strangled by someone *ahem*—but, the thing is, this book definitely has a lot of parts/scenes that warrant a GOOD discussion. So without further ado, here’s our last batch of questions (okay, now I have to run and hide! LOL):
[Added, 1:30 p.m.]
*Trollop* here, laughing so hard I can barely keep my ass on this chair LOL LOL LOL. I had this conversation with Harlot a couple of minutes ago; let me share. :P
Harlot: Patchett really can write, but I dont like it. I find it really boring, babe. And really, 4 months being held hostage? There are prominent people there! That’s too unrealistic!!!
Trollop: Er, babe, that really happened, you know. Oh god LOL, you didn't know, did you? LOL! It’s based on a true story!
Harlot: 4 MONTHS!?!
Trollop: I think more. Let me get story for you!
For those of you, who, like Harlot, had no idea what went on in Lima, Peru a decade ago, here are some highlights of the Tupac Amaru take-over of the Japanese ambassador’s residence in 1996:
Related:
Seriously, (saying this fast before Trollop catches me) Bel Canto is not one of those books that will end up in my keeper’s shelf—like I said, I only finished it as to not be strangled by someone *ahem*—but, the thing is, this book definitely has a lot of parts/scenes that warrant a GOOD discussion. So without further ado, here’s our last batch of questions (okay, now I have to run and hide! LOL):
- At one point Carmen says to Gen, “Ask yourself, would it be so awful if we all stayed here in this beautiful house?” And towards the end of the story it is stated: “Gen knew that everything was getting better and not just for him. People were happier.” Messner then says to him, “You were the brightest one here once, and now you’re as crazy as the rest of them.” What do you think of these statements? Do you really believe they would rather stay captive in the house than return to the “real” world?
- What do you think of the novel’s ending? Did it surprise you? Do you agree with Thibault’s assessment of Gen and Roxane’s motivations for marrying?
[Added, 1:30 p.m.]
*Trollop* here, laughing so hard I can barely keep my ass on this chair LOL LOL LOL. I had this conversation with Harlot a couple of minutes ago; let me share. :P
Harlot: Patchett really can write, but I dont like it. I find it really boring, babe. And really, 4 months being held hostage? There are prominent people there! That’s too unrealistic!!!
Trollop: Er, babe, that really happened, you know. Oh god LOL, you didn't know, did you? LOL! It’s based on a true story!
Harlot: 4 MONTHS!?!
Trollop: I think more. Let me get story for you!
For those of you, who, like Harlot, had no idea what went on in Lima, Peru a decade ago, here are some highlights of the Tupac Amaru take-over of the Japanese ambassador’s residence in 1996:
- Rebels from the Peruvian Tupac Amaru movement staged a well-executed, military-style raid upon the house of the Japanese ambassador. The daring plan took place at about 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday night. A reception honoring Japanese Emperor Akihito’s birthday was taking place. Peruvian police said that some of the guerrillas slipped past security by posing as waiters.
- Among the hostages are the ambassadors from: Austria, Britain, Boliva, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Germany, Japan, Panama, Spain, South Korea and Venezuela. As well as the foreign and agriculture ministers of Peru, 6 Peruvian legislators, the president of Peru’s Supreme Court and dozens of Japanese businessmen. It is reported that there are 7 American citizens among the captives.
- Twenty-three rebels, including 3 females, are in control of the compound. At least 1 guerrilla, believed to be a leader, has reportedly suffered a serious gunshot wound to the leg.
- At the end of the initial clash the guerrillas had taken control of a compound that covers an entire block and sits behind a 15-foot high wall that is topped by a 10-foot electrical fence in Lima’s San Isidro residential area. About 170 hostages, mostly women and elderly people, were released after a few hours of the assault.
- A representative of the Red Cross was allowed by the guerrillas to enter the compound and negotiate with the rebels.
Related:
Labels: bitches book club
Okay, I shouldn't be commenting yet but Trollop is forcing me to stop watching EVER AFTER (one of my fave moves ever). GGGRRRR. FINE.
ALRIGHT! Grr. So i didn't know! Who cares! Whether this book is based on a true story or not doesn't matter. Why? Because first, it STILL seems so UNBELIEVABLE that through taht FREAKING 4 months, no one even tried to escape!!!! WTF. I mean seriously, if i'm being held by a bunch of teenagers, skinny at that, who sleeps at night watch!--i'll at least TRY to get myself to safety. But NO, NO ONE tried that. That jsut seems so very unreal! Okay, maybe because they are a bunch of wealthy diplomats and stupid honchos..
Also, what's up with the let's all love our captors thing? I know there's a syndrome about this but, SERIOUSLY, EVERYONE felt that? COME ON, THEY'RE FUCKING TERRORISTS! What is wrong with you people?!! Maybe it's becasue these "terorists" are a bunch of nicest ninnys. Chess? Opera? Television? Oh man! And they let the people outside too! It's like they're not terrorists at all! I wouldn't even be surprise if they let hostages go shopping because they're bored. With escorts, of course.
Oh wait. Except there's no changing their clothes. Everyone has one change of clothing. People would smell, hello? Not to mention be cranky. There would be illness, fights, etc. But NO. Those IMPERFECTIONS aren't allowed in this book.
Oh except the ending that didn't make sense. It seems as if Patchett was running for a deadline so she simply typed as fast as she could without thinking. It's like, suddenly she tries to be realistic by killing people off, but that failed miserably. Please, if you're going to write a fairytale, do it all the way.
The epilogue is even worse! Oh LOL! The wedding seems pushed jsut so there's a good ending of hope and all the high-spirit yada. But, sorry, it fell flat. I guess it's good that Gen perfect-super-boy married Roxanne could-sing-everything. Now they could have perfect little kids who can sing every opera in the world and speak every FREAKING language unbelievably fluently! HALLELUIAAAA!!!
5/30/2006 02:01:00 PM
Okay LOL i have a lot of misspellings. :S Yikes. We really need spell-check here on comments. :/
5/30/2006 02:10:00 PM
Deep breath, here goes...
I enjoyed the writing, BUT, I am with Harlot, I spent a lot of this book thinking "WTF? Why don't these people plan an escape". I mean the huge Russian guys didn't even consider it? Please, they could take down 10 small terriorists. They were big right? I didn't imagine that? Anyway, since every character spoke a language the terrorists didn't speak the hostages could've easily planned an escape. And what of Carmen and Gen, he could've just walked right on out with her. He could've even taken Roxanne and Mr. Hosokawa with him. Geez.
I will say that I can see why the hostages became close to the terrorists. They were so young and were obviously mislead with everything they have been taught in the world. The hostages saw the potential they had and wanted to help them. They knew if the young terrorist had a clue as to what their talents truly were they wouldn't be living the life they do and terrorizing people.
Now to the ?s:
1. I think the hostages did start getting a little bit crazy. I don't think they realistically could wish to stay captive instead of returning to the real world. But within the walls of that house some of them were experiencing love for the first time, that would be hard to want to leave. It's very powerful. But that really only includes 4 people, 1 of which was a terrorist. I can totally see why the young terrorists want to stay there, they have food, clean house, etc. Life is good there.
2. I didn't like the ending. Seriously, I get that it couldn't end all happy and cheerful but did they have to kill off the few nice terrorists? I thought it was weird that Gen and Roxanne married, I can see them staying close as friends to help eachother through what happened but marrying, I don't think so. It ruined the parts of the book that I liked.
Overall, AP's writing was good but I was so confused sometimes. I think it was worth a read.
As for next book, romance *clapping*, yahoo! Maybe Ain't She Sweet by SEP or Paradise by JM. I'd like an excuse to re-read those. Are you including "Chick Lit" in this catagory b/c there are several good ones to choose from.
Also, TROLLOP, where have you been babe? Or are you just ignoring me. *pout*
5/30/2006 02:21:00 PM
Harlot! LOL
Anyway, I agree about some of your points especially the captives not trying to overpower their young captors. Anyway, I won't elaborate much, just that I think the more important point was that love can overcome barriers like being from different societies or classes or not even being able to speak the same language. On that level I thought the book really worked because most of the main characters loved someone despite the odds. Gen the translator and Carmen the terrorist loved each other despite the difference in age, culture, and background. Roxanne the American singer and Mr. Hasakawa the Japanese CEO loved each other though they could not speak the other's language. Ruben the vice-president and Oscar Mendoza the construction boss loved Ishmael like a son though he was a terrorist. Even Simon Thibault loved his wife more and more though she was on the outside while he was trapped in the house. So in the end the book was about love though not really what you'd call a romance.
5/30/2006 02:29:00 PM
Oh, can I make a suggestion for the next book? Maybe one from the chic lit genre. Or a Stephen King book? LOL. They sure are popular. ;)
5/30/2006 02:33:00 PM
Like I mentioned yesterday, I loved the book, but hated the ending.
The action that takes place is simply untrue to the characters' personalities as the author has us envision. It ruined the book for me because up until then the one thing I appreciated about this book was the authenticity of the characters' personalities, actions and psyches. And then along comes this ridiculously, unbelievable ending and suddenly I'm feeling hoodwinked.
Olly
5/30/2006 03:18:00 PM
ok well i really enjoyed the book itself, i'm really into music (i play like 6 different instruments and sing) so i could really relate to how everyone was so into the music, i get like that.
i also didn't know it was something that actually happened, that's crazy! lol
i think the hostages as well as the terrorists were starting to get used to each other and how things were. i mean even when you go away on vacation for a week you start to fall into a different pattern of doing things and when you go back to your usual everyday life it's different. plus they had everything they needed there. also, the thing about the clothing- they were borrowing a lot of the vice presidents clothing and washing their clothes everyday. i do remember that part.
the ending... well i mean there was no happen ending for a hostage/terrorist situation. but as the book goes on i started to forget about that, which i think was one of the great things about Patchett's writing. it almost came as a surprise when the shooting started but you really should've expected it. i was really upset when Carmen, especially, died, and i'll admit that i did cry a little (i was pmsing, so :P lol).
as for the epilogue... *rolls eyes* i really didn't like that at all. i would've been happier with the book ending with everyone getting shot. i really couldn't understand it at all and i think i re-read the first paragraph of it twice cos i was like "wait...Gen and Roxane? i must've read it wrong, that can't be right." lol
all in all i really did like the book though, i really enjoyed the little love story between Gen and Carmen, i thought it was really cute and sweet. and i enjoyed how music was tied into it as something that brought everyone together. i'd probably read it again, but i'd stop before the epilogue.
5/30/2006 05:24:00 PM
Harlot, I think you're pertaining to Stockholm syndrome. :)
Book suggestions:
- Philippa Gregory
- Margaret George
5/30/2006 08:09:00 PM
There was an opera singer who enchants a rag-tag collection of terrorists and captives, the stereotypyped Japanese linguist who speaks just about every language he has ever heard of, with Japanese efficiency, native peoples (practically children) with a purity and innocence of purpose that has a comic-book quality to it. After a few pages, it was predictable and boring. The ending was too pat, and not at all credible. Too bad. It was a major news story a number of years ago in Peru, and something more should have been done with it. The book seemed to serve no real purpose, illuminating the reasons neither of the captors nor of the captives.
5/30/2006 08:53:00 PM
I was looking forward to enjoying Bel Canto. I am both a music lover and an enthusiast of Latin American culture, having spent the past three years living in Bogota Colombia.
Fifty men and one woman are taken hostage in an unnamed country (a thinly disguised Peru, with elements of Colombia and Guatemala thrown in). The lone woman, Roxanne Coss, is the world's most famous opera diva. The men are rich and powerful Westerners: diplomats, barons of industry, politicians...and through some bizarre quirk of fate they all happen to be rabid opera fans. The captors are made up of fifteen armed-to-the-teeth teenagers led by three veteran guerrilla warriors.
As Harlot pointed out, the hostage situation (an early death, a pistol whipping) quickly devolves into some sort of egalitarian fantasia. A Japanese business executive reveals himself to be a classically trained soloist; he and Miss Coss fill the house with beautiful music. The country's vice president rolls his sleeves up and waxes the floors. A guerrilla leader plays chess with the hostages. The French diplomat doubles as a gourmet chef, and puts the knife wielding terrorists to work chopping vegetables. Even these young gun wielding teenage boys discover all sorts of latent talents: one becomes a chess master after watching a few games, and another reveals himself as the next opera great, reeling off arias in perfect Italian.
Even though her subject is a hostage situation, Anne Patchett has managed to write a novel without an ounce of tension. The situation's sorry end is so heavily foreshadowed that the conclusion creates no sense of surprise. It is almost as if Patchett willfully disregarded all of the elements that might have made Bel Canto a gripping read. The hostages are powerful men from societies as diverse as Russia, Japan, and Italy, but the sole cultural clash in the entire novel arises from a Latino hostage asking Miss Coss to help with the cooking (she politely explains that she does not know how to cook.) Even the obvious racial and class conflict is utterly avoided. By the novel's end rich hostages and poor terrorists are playing soccer in the garden and making plans for the future.
Bel Canto was a disappointment, especially given the accolades that have been heaped upon it. Patchett can write, and the novel's opening passages are smooth and captivating, but the reader is soon pulled into a syrupy soap opera full of unrealistic situations and unbelievable characters. Patchett appeared to have attempted a quirky love fable, but Bel Canto ends up as a soupy mess in which teenage guerrillas and wealthy western barons of industry all find their common humanity. I found myself waiting for Roxanne Coss to burst into an a capella version of We Are the World.
5/30/2006 09:12:00 PM
The first third of the book really got my juices flowing. Terrorists bungle the would-be kidnapping of the president of a Latin American president, and, instead, take hostage a group of diplomats, businessmen and artists during a diplomatic function. Through this first third, the book is rich in characterization and Pachett's prose is wonderfully descriptive, which kept me turning page after to page to see what would happen in this tense situation. However, the next two-thirds of the book took on the feel of a pulp romance.
The terrorists and the hostages begin having a love fest of sorts, singing, dancing, cooking gourmet meals, running around the garden barefoot, having fondling sessions in closets, cheering up depressed terrorists stuck up trees. There is absolutely no conflict of any kind after the first third of the book: the would-be message, I guess, is that terrorists and hostages live to love even in confinement. I felt like I was living a sappy '30 Broadway musical. Indeed, so much of this book veers on the incredulous.
For example, Patchett thinks that there is nothing unusual in having 50 some odd males worshiping opera without regard to their level of musical background or education -- and all 50 male opera lovers are straight! Further, the same 50 some odd males in captivity are completely in love, like they have never been in love, with one woman, and this woman has complete control as to who she wants to sleep with -- this is a fantasy, and one aimed for women. Then there's the teen terrorist who suddenly makes a grand debut down the regal stairs and develops the ability to sing Tosca in Italian as a coloratura soprano and everyone thinks HE sounds almost as good as the "world's best" soprano.
The fact that the hostages are from the Western superpowers and that the terrorists are Third World is never explored: why use this device of Western superpowers held hostage in a Latin American country but not explore remotely the politics of the situation? The book is worth reading for Patchett's use of the language, which clearly shows her talents; however, story development is certainly not her forte in this novel.
I suggest you gals should try Hemmingway next or Arthur Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha".
5/30/2006 10:04:00 PM
Anyone who criticizes this book for not being "realistic" or that it doesn't have any action completely missed the point. This is a fantasy whose purpose seems to be to create a picture of what peace would look like... metaphorically. Instead of boring details about how the negotiations are going (which we hear about in the real world every five minutes on the news), Ann Patchett paints an imaginary picture of what might happen if people let their humanity, rather than their political agenda, dictate their actions.
I was enthralled with every character from beginning to end. Did I once care whether any of it could actually happen? No. This book was such a relief from the nonstop barrage of "reality" we've been forced to swallow lately. But there was truth here that went far beyond the limits of "reality." By the end of the book I loved all the characters because Ann Patchett truly understands the human soul and she depicted it with stunning clarity.
5/30/2006 10:14:00 PM
Wow. Great discussion. :) Harlot, you are too funny. LOL
I'm learning a lot about this book even if I have yet to read it. :P So it's either you love it or hate it huh?
Hey, I second that Hemingway suggestion. But since you said romance, why not Jenny Crusie?
5/30/2006 10:33:00 PM
Hi. :)
Two things I appreciate in a novel are an intriguing plot and beautiful prose. Bel Canto began with the promise of both, but the story fizzled from lack of conflict until the final pages. However, the major complaint I have with this book is that she calls the interpreter a translator. Translators work with documents. Interpreters work with the spoken word. I'm quite surprised that the author didn't research the profession of one of the main characters, and not even the editor caught this glaring error. There could be a gripping tale woven from a situation such as this one, but Bel Canto isn't it.
5/30/2006 11:38:00 PM
Hey great discussion! I have not read "Bel Canto" though and probably won't read it. LOL
May I suggest Marian Keyes next time or Janet Evanovich? :)
5/31/2006 12:27:00 AM
How could anyone not know about the hostage taking in Peru? Harlot, how can a girl who's been around the block live under a rock? I must say, is sex you all think about?
5/31/2006 11:33:00 AM
I thought the book is well-written and poignant. It stays in your head after you finish reading it.
I like it alot, and I didn't know it's based on true story. All I know is I like it.
What about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon for next BBC? It's different, and interesting.
5/31/2006 02:18:00 PM
I think it's clear that i didn't enjoy this book. :P Like Trollop said, i guess it's not for me. I have no problem with Patchett's writing ability. The writing is lyrical, poetic. I just feel that the plot was very flat. Of course until a spike at the end followed by an unusual epilogue. ;) The good thing is now i know about the Peru hostage thingy. :P LOL
Now for our next book, not sure. Trollop and i have to talk about that..
5/31/2006 02:21:00 PM
These are just a few that I've been wanting to read. I hear they are pretty good! :)
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
(Fiction)
Night - Elie Wiesel
Tiny Dancer - Anthony Flacco (Memoir, Biography)
Doctors Orders - Deanna Ashford (Exotica)
The Birth House - Ami McKay (Fiction)
5/31/2006 03:26:00 PM
a fantasy world can happen however the fantasizer wants it to. Look at the reality of their situation. Everyone there had lives and jobs. Some had familys. They had responsibilities. I think there is the key. Responsibility. Everyone dreams of having no responsibility. In the house, they had none. They could do anything all day long (assuming it was allowed). The terrorists weren't harsh people. They knew that if they treated the hostages badly they would be just like the government they were trying to overthrow. I think that all of the main characters would have liked to stay in the house forever. Food was provided, it was beautiful, everything they needed was there. It doesn't show much on the other characters opinions but my guess is women would be wanted... i mean they are only human. But anywho I know that I would probably want to stay if I knew everything was taken care of and I could just be.
I HATE THE ENDING!!! As i continued reading I got this horrible feeling that every single terrorist would die. I knew it was going to happen... I hoped and prayed it wouldn't because i was falling in love with them... I wanted it to work out well for everyone. Carmen and Gen would be together... both translators because Carmen was so smart. Mr. H would divorce his wife and go with Rox. The others returned to their lives and some of the prisoners were set free for the terrorist demands. as for the wedding... i hated that even more... i think they married out of friendship love. Like look what we have been through together.. no one else will understand... lets get married.... i hated that... with a passion.... stupid ending.... *throws book to the floor*
6/01/2006 12:16:00 AM
Petra-
i'm glad i'm not the only one who cried when Carmen died!! :) i really wanted her and Gen to just run away and be together, and for Mr. H and Roxy to be together in the end too.
KC-
that's exactly how i felt about the book. everyone was shown what it's like to just sit back and have no responsibility. you get to see exactly what it is you enjoy doing or thinking about. i would also assume that over more time the men there would want their wives or some women, lol. i have a feeling that i would want to stay there too, it didn't seem soo bad, except for the few minor things that went wrong at the beginning.
it wasn't meant to mimic the actual event, it's a fiction. if it was meant to be a reenactment of the actual event it wouldn't be in with the fiction books. that's one of the great things about writing fiction, it can be loosely based on actual events, but you have the liberty of making it your own story. it's like painting, if you have a picture you want to paint, but don't really like the trees or some weird guy standing there in it, you don't have to include them. (lol maybe a bad example but i'm going through pictures i might want to paint) if you're looking for a historically accurate novel, fiction is not the section you go to for it.
6/01/2006 04:48:00 PM
Aggie,
That's a good idea. Let's see, i'm thinking next week? ;)
Nica,
Do you think Mr. H wanted to die? I mean once they all return to their normal lives, it would be nearly impossible for him to be with Roxane. Do you think he would rather have died than live life without her? Hmm.. I like Carmen too. Too bad she's the one that got sacrificed. :/
For all those who are waiting for the next selection, please bear with us. I know it's the first day of the month and therefore we should be posting announcement now. Trollop and i actually wanted to have a poll, but freaking blogpoll won't work. Grr. Anyway, it'll be up either later tonight or tomorrow morning. Thanks you guys!
6/01/2006 05:02:00 PM
Harlot,
that's a tough one! :) i think even he would have trouble deciding on that one, it's not that he was very unhappy with his family and his old life, but he probably would be going back to it after living so differently for 4 months. i think he might've chose to die trying to protect those he had come to love in the house. and i think if he had survived and gone back he would've missed Roxane so much he would've considered leaving his family and career for her.
i know, Carmen was so cute, and i really liked her. i think one of my favorite parts with her was the morning after her and Gen were together outside at night, and she saw the grass all smashed down. and she kept thinking how she wanted to smash down all the grass in the yard, lol! ;D but after finishing the ending (before the epilogue, lol) i stopped and was thinking that there really wasn't any other way for a hostage situation to end really. i mean they were warned that the government was going to put a stop to it, and there was even the hint of the underground tunnel being dug. i think i would've liked for Gen and Carmen to run away in the night though so Carmen could've lived and that whole akward marriage of Gen and Roxane didn't happen.
6/01/2006 07:23:00 PM
Nica, love your answers. :D I agree. I think after Mr. H return to his normal life, he will have a lot of trouble getting over what happened during that 4 months. Well, who wouldn't? Still, he had Roxane there and a life different, a life he preferred i think, from the one he had outside the mansion.
I'm glad you loved the book. It's one of Trollop's faves, you know. :)
6/02/2006 11:31:00 AM
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