

#15207
Mentioned in 4 episodes
Bel Canto
Book • 2001
Based on the Japanese embassy hostage crisis of 1996-1997 in Lima, Peru, the novel follows the relationships among a group of young terrorists and their hostages, mostly high-profile executives and politicians, over several months.
The story highlights how opera becomes a central theme, binding the characters together despite their diverse backgrounds.
As the hostage situation prolongs, unexpected bonds of friendship and love form between the captors and the hostages.
The novel culminates in a tragic ending when government forces intervene, and it concludes with an epilogue that reunites some of the characters years later.
The story highlights how opera becomes a central theme, binding the characters together despite their diverse backgrounds.
As the hostage situation prolongs, unexpected bonds of friendship and love form between the captors and the hostages.
The novel culminates in a tragic ending when government forces intervene, and it concludes with an epilogue that reunites some of the characters years later.
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Mentioned in 4 episodes
Mentioned as an author who released an annotated version of her most famous book, reflecting on how she would rewrite it differently.

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Mentioned by Mina Kim as the author who re-read and annotated her 2001 novel, "Bel Canto", adding handwritten margin notes.

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Mentioned by
Jonathan Fields as a writer who embodies certainty and wholehearted pursuit of her creative craft, highlighting her integration of intrinsic gifts into the world and her impactful novels.


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Mentioned by Mina Kim as the author who re-released her novel "Bel Canto" with handwritten margin notes.

Novelist Ann Patchett Rereads 'Bel Canto' in New Annotated Edition