Why Ann Revisited Bel Canto

Ann Patchett's 2001 novel Bel Canto was a huge hit. She's continued to have success with her later work, including The Dutch House, which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. But she recently returned to Bel Canto with a new edition annotated by Patchett herself. She and Rachel talk about why she wanted to critique her own work and they also discuss their shifting ideas of God and feeling comfortable being alone.

To listen sponsor-free, access bonus episodes and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy