The only Recommended Reading selection to ever include a reference to opera, I promise. Unless you enjoy opera, then I apologize for the oversight.
Though exhausted from my day of shopping extravagance, I couldn’t fall asleep until after 1am.
I was then woken at 7am by my dad, violently banging on my front door and endlessly ringing my doorbell.
I was convinced he was a serial killer.
Looking back, I do realize a murder will probably not draw the attention of neighbors by knocking, but in my sleep-induced haze it was all I could conceive.
Everything’s fine – he had just locked himself out of his home and needed my spare key.
But I thought I’d share why I feel a bit out of it today.
And why this review won’t be up to par.
Not that any my reviews are ever up to par.
I’m a sub-par kinda gal.
I’m also a gal who doesn’t usually enjoy emotion-evoking fiction.
Of all the different genres, novels that cause weeping are my least favorite.
Yet, somehow I was drawn into Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, a story of a dinner party taken hostage by a terrorist group.
Each character has depth and beauty and I fell in love with them.
So if you like books with a side of crying, or even if you don’t, give it a try, it might surprise you.
It certainly did me.
I’ve never seen an opera
In case you thought my opinion was well-informed,
Megan
My Not-So-Very-Much-Here Recommended Reading
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I loved this book!
Loved.
Though my book club, for whom I chose it one month, hated it. Passionately.
I quit that bookclub soon after.
Good choice – you clearly need to form your own book group.
Hey – you reviewed a book I’ve actually read. Read and LOVED. I too, have never seen an opera (nor cared to) and still I loved this book.
I like it when books make me cry though. I an author can get me to care about a character enough to weep for them, it’s a sign of a good book.
YES – finally, our books have aligned! It’s like stars aligning, but more rare.
And I want to care about characters but then I want their lives to be happy. There’s already enough sadness in the world, I don’t want to get upset over fabricated sadness.
Read that one, five or six years ago.
I was actually thinking about it the other day, trying to untangle the threads of the love stories in my memory.
And remembering the character who fell back in love with his wife.
That may be the thing I remember most. I found it so hopeful.
I’m always so touched by stories like that.
Sigh.
True wuv.
That sounds really worthwhile. Mind if I borrow your copy sometime?
So glad you recommended this. I’ve been looking for a good book. Although any book with the phrase “Winner of the Orange Prize” is worthy of a second glance. Is any0ne checking to make sure these prizes really exist? “Winner of the Cedar Hedge Award” should be next.
Well, one day I’m going to write a book.
And it shall be a “Winner of the Groundhog Prize” and shall be read by all.
Naturally.
This is a *great* book. You are correct.
I’m glad your dad wasn’t a serial killer. But at that hour, maybe you could’ve shared some cereal.
Sorry. I’m not very good at that sort of thing.
You make me laugh.
So glad you were not murdered.
This book sounds fascinating!
I’m so glad too!
You know, some days it’s just the little things!
This was a great one!
A coworker passed it on, and at first take it didnt get me. Then I picked it up a couple of weeks later, and WOW – roped me right in, stayed up all night reading it. Useless and cranky at work the next day, but what a great read!
Isn’t it crazy how sometimes a book just leaves you “eh” and then later it’s like a whole new, obsessive read? I love that.
Ever since you mentioned this book I’ve been curious about it, but unable to access it here in french Canada! Kindle fixed that. It’s almost the first book I bought. I loved the style of writing! Now, I have a question for you about the plot (SPOILER ALERT to anyone else)– Did Mr. Hosokawa die? The description of how Carmen and he were both taken by the same bullet makes it seem like he did, but then I remember earlier in the book it talks about how “later on he would recall these days” like he would live and look back on what happened. I just can’t reconcile it, help!
I’m so glad you bought it and loved it – I feel honored you took my suggestion!
(Once again, SPOILER)
Yep, Mr. Hosokawa and Carmen both died – it’s the real tragedy of the book, and the part that’s stuck with me the most. I don’t remember that line, but I would assume it’s either weirdly written so you can’t tell who is doing the recollecting or it’s just a mistake.