Bel Canto

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett is a gripping novel-thriller about hostages, art, and love, which was adapted into a film starring Julianne Moore and Christopher Lambert. Thanks to this book, the writer’s name became known around the world. The novel was published in a run of over one million copies, and for it Ann Patchett received the prestigious Orange Prize literary award.

In one of the countries of South America, at the mansion of the vice president, an extravagant celebration is held for the birthday of an influential Japanese businessman, Mr. Hosokawa. High-ranking guests from around the world listen, spellbound, to the specially invited star—the legendary opera singer Roxana Coss. Suddenly, the lights go out in the hall. Armed terrorists burst into the house and take both the singer and her listeners hostage. The story, which begins with universal terror at the face of seemingly inevitable death, gradually turns into something completely different. It becomes a story of beauty and art—about how between people who speak different languages, and even between bandits and their captives, understanding, friendship, and… love begin to grow.

Ann Patchett collaborates with many leading publications—The New York Times, Harper’s, The Washington Post, Vogue, and others. In 2012, Time magazine included Patchett in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Bel Canto was translated into 30 languages and sold over a million copies worldwide.