Get Your Free Audiobook
Bel Canto
People who bought this also bought...
-
State of Wonder
- By: Ann Patchett
- Narrated by: Nancy Baldwin
- Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 13
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 12
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 12
Research scientist Dr. Marina Singh is sent to Brazil to track down Dr. Annick Swenson, who has disappeared in the Amazon while working on a valuable new drug. The last person who was sent to find her, Marina’s research partner Anders Eckman, died before he could complete his mission. Plagued by trepidation, Marina embarks on an odyssey into the insect-infested jungle in hopes of finding her former mentor as well as answers to several troubling questions about her friend’s death.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
The novel Patchett 'caught' from Gilbert
- By Carolin on 19-08-2017
-
Milkman
- By: Anna Burns
- Narrated by: Bríd Brennan
- Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 217
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 202
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 201
In this unnamed city, to be interesting is dangerous. Middle sister, our protagonist, is busy attempting to keep her mother from discovering her maybe-boyfriend and to keep everyone in the dark about her encounter with Milkman. But when first brother-in-law sniffs out her struggle, and rumours start to swell, middle sister becomes 'interesting'. The last thing she ever wanted to be. To be interesting is to be noticed and to be noticed is dangerous. Milkman is a tale of gossip and hearsay, silence and deliberate deafness. It is the story of inaction with enormous consequences.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
magic
- By Dr. Sue Tait on 12-09-2018
-
The Narrow Road to the Deep North
- By: Richard Flanagan
- Narrated by: Richard Flanagan
- Length: 15 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 231
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 211
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 213
August, 1943. In the despair of a Japanese POW camp on the Thai-Burma death railway, Australian surgeon Dorrigo Evans is haunted by his love affair with his uncle's young wife two years earlier. Struggling to save the men under his command from starvation, from cholera, from beatings, he receives a letter that will change his life forever. This savagely beautiful novel is a story about the many forms of love and death, of war and truth, as one man comes of age, prospers, only to discover all that he has lost.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Going to read the book - can't listen any more
- By John on 08-05-2015
-
The Nightingale
- By: Kristin Hannah
- Narrated by: Polly Stone
- Length: 17 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 317
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 285
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 290
Bravery, courage, fear, and love in a time of war. Despite their differences sisters Viann and Isabelle have always been close. Younger, bolder Isabelle lives in Paris while Viann is content with life in the French countryside with her husband, Antoine, and their daughter. But when the Second World War strikes, Antoine is sent off to fight, and Viann finds herself isolated, so Isabelle is sent by their father to help her. As the war progresses, the sisters' relationship and strength are tested.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Loved it
- By Ness on 10-09-2015
-
Commonwealth
- By: Ann Patchett
- Narrated by: Laurence Bouvard
- Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 100
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 91
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 90
It is 1964: Bert Cousins shows up at Franny Keating's christening uninvited, where he notices a heart-stoppingly beautiful woman. When Bert kisses Beverly Keating, his host's wife, he sets in motion the joining of two families. In 1988, Franny Keating, now 24, meets one of her idols, the famous author Leon Posen. After telling him about her family, she unwittingly relinquishes control over their story.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Wonderful story. Engaging narrator.
- By Anonymous User on 29-08-2017
-
The Children Act
- By: Ian McEwan
- Narrated by: Lindsay Duncan
- Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 95
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 88
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 86
Fiona Maye is a leading High Court judge, presiding over cases in the family court. She is renowned for her fierce intelligence, exactitude and sensitivity. But her professional success belies private sorrow and domestic strife. There is the lingering regret of her childlessness, and now her marriage of 30 years is in crisis. At the same time, she is called on to try an urgent case: for religious reasons, a beautiful 17-year-old boy, Adam, is refusing the medical treatment that could save his life, and his devout parents share his wishes. Time is running out.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
wonderful writing
- By Joseph Di Stefano on 10-10-2016
-
State of Wonder
- By: Ann Patchett
- Narrated by: Nancy Baldwin
- Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 13
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 12
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 12
Research scientist Dr. Marina Singh is sent to Brazil to track down Dr. Annick Swenson, who has disappeared in the Amazon while working on a valuable new drug. The last person who was sent to find her, Marina’s research partner Anders Eckman, died before he could complete his mission. Plagued by trepidation, Marina embarks on an odyssey into the insect-infested jungle in hopes of finding her former mentor as well as answers to several troubling questions about her friend’s death.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
The novel Patchett 'caught' from Gilbert
- By Carolin on 19-08-2017
-
Milkman
- By: Anna Burns
- Narrated by: Bríd Brennan
- Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 217
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 202
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 201
In this unnamed city, to be interesting is dangerous. Middle sister, our protagonist, is busy attempting to keep her mother from discovering her maybe-boyfriend and to keep everyone in the dark about her encounter with Milkman. But when first brother-in-law sniffs out her struggle, and rumours start to swell, middle sister becomes 'interesting'. The last thing she ever wanted to be. To be interesting is to be noticed and to be noticed is dangerous. Milkman is a tale of gossip and hearsay, silence and deliberate deafness. It is the story of inaction with enormous consequences.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
magic
- By Dr. Sue Tait on 12-09-2018
-
The Narrow Road to the Deep North
- By: Richard Flanagan
- Narrated by: Richard Flanagan
- Length: 15 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 231
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 211
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 213
August, 1943. In the despair of a Japanese POW camp on the Thai-Burma death railway, Australian surgeon Dorrigo Evans is haunted by his love affair with his uncle's young wife two years earlier. Struggling to save the men under his command from starvation, from cholera, from beatings, he receives a letter that will change his life forever. This savagely beautiful novel is a story about the many forms of love and death, of war and truth, as one man comes of age, prospers, only to discover all that he has lost.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Going to read the book - can't listen any more
- By John on 08-05-2015
-
The Nightingale
- By: Kristin Hannah
- Narrated by: Polly Stone
- Length: 17 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 317
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 285
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 290
Bravery, courage, fear, and love in a time of war. Despite their differences sisters Viann and Isabelle have always been close. Younger, bolder Isabelle lives in Paris while Viann is content with life in the French countryside with her husband, Antoine, and their daughter. But when the Second World War strikes, Antoine is sent off to fight, and Viann finds herself isolated, so Isabelle is sent by their father to help her. As the war progresses, the sisters' relationship and strength are tested.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Loved it
- By Ness on 10-09-2015
-
Commonwealth
- By: Ann Patchett
- Narrated by: Laurence Bouvard
- Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 100
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 91
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 90
It is 1964: Bert Cousins shows up at Franny Keating's christening uninvited, where he notices a heart-stoppingly beautiful woman. When Bert kisses Beverly Keating, his host's wife, he sets in motion the joining of two families. In 1988, Franny Keating, now 24, meets one of her idols, the famous author Leon Posen. After telling him about her family, she unwittingly relinquishes control over their story.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Wonderful story. Engaging narrator.
- By Anonymous User on 29-08-2017
-
The Children Act
- By: Ian McEwan
- Narrated by: Lindsay Duncan
- Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 95
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 88
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 86
Fiona Maye is a leading High Court judge, presiding over cases in the family court. She is renowned for her fierce intelligence, exactitude and sensitivity. But her professional success belies private sorrow and domestic strife. There is the lingering regret of her childlessness, and now her marriage of 30 years is in crisis. At the same time, she is called on to try an urgent case: for religious reasons, a beautiful 17-year-old boy, Adam, is refusing the medical treatment that could save his life, and his devout parents share his wishes. Time is running out.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
wonderful writing
- By Joseph Di Stefano on 10-10-2016
Publisher's Summary
“Blissfully Romantic.... A strange, terrific, spellcasting story.” (San Francisco Chronicle)
“Bel Canto...should be on the list of every literate music lover. The story is riveting, the participants breathe and feel and are alive, and throughout this elegantly-told novel, music pours forth so splendidly that the reader hears it and is overwhelmed by its beauty.” (Lloyd Moss, WXQR)
“Glorious.” (The New Yorker)
Ann Patchett’s award winning, New York Times best-selling Bel Canto balances themes of love and crisis as disparate characters learn that music is their only common language. As in Pratchett’s other novels, including Truth & Beauty and The Magician’s Assistant, the author’s lyrical prose and lucid imagination make Bel Canto a captivating story of strength and frailty, love and imprisonment, and an inspiring tale of transcendent romance.
Critic Reviews
- 2002 Orange Prize for Fiction
- Book Sense Book of the Year Award Winner, Paperback, 2003
- PEN/Faulkner Award Winner, 2002
"Patchett can be counted on to deliver novels rich in imaginative bravado and psychological nuance. This fluid and assured narrative...demonstrates her growing maturity and mastery of form." (Publishers Weekly)
"Mixing art and politics can have unexpected results, but rarely are they so poignant....[Anna Fields'] performance is the essence of Bel Canto, easy, pure of tone, with an agile, precise vocal technique." (AudioFile)
More from the same
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
Overall
-
4.5 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars5
-
4 Stars1
-
3 Stars2
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars0
Performance
-
4.5 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars3
-
4 Stars3
-
3 Stars1
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars0
Story
-
4.5 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars4
-
4 Stars1
-
3 Stars2
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars0
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Felicity
- 20-10-2018
A wonderful human story
This is a spell-binding book of great beauty and humanity. Definitely either read it or listen to it. I wasn't as in love with the epilogue as with the rest of the book, but so be it. I found the narrator's voice grating at first, but I grew to like it. Perhaps I was just wrapped up in the story. This is a story to make you fall in love with books all over again.
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mel
- 01-03-2013
Opera Has Charms to Soothe the Savage Guerillas
I have a 5-book history with Patchett. Bel Canto is a book that I volleyed in and out of my wish list for years. The premise seemed compelling: terrorists guerillas storm the home of a Latin American vice president while he is entertaining international dignitaries, including the beautiful opera diva Roxanne Coss and Japanese businessman Katsumi Hosokawa. During the following 4 month siege, separated from the world with the heightened sense of the fragility of life, the captives overcome their language barriers through music, i.e. Roxanne's opera, and delicate bonds of humanity bloom in spite of the hostile environment.
Patchett is intent on proving music is the magical universal language, setting out to develop this construct into a novel by casting her stage with a diversity of characters from various origins. In attempting to relate the participants' individual reactions as they are forced to face their mortality, examine their mental constitutions, Patchett takes on a production that is just too grand for the time frame of the book she intends. It soon becomes clear, as you try to understand the suddenly incongruous behaviors of the characters she first presesnted you with, that it's impossible to give the reader the necessary internal dialogues of these people which validates their behaviors; their actions, even under the circumstances, do not follow from the personalities she invited to the party -- the dilemma of the non-sequitor behavior. The plot's integrity may have held together better had Patchett foregone the internal dialogues and psychological digressions, had she allowed the reader to ponder the inner machinations. The relationships could have been believable had I been able to imagine their progression instead of being jerkily forced into bed...the psychological build up is what creates atmosphere, intrigue, and logical involvement.
So, I come again to my ususal criticism--the crux of my on-going struggle with Patchett...if I am being asked to suspend belief (which you must do when everything defies facts, reason and logic), give me great and beautiful flights of fantasy or anarchy--toy with logic, but don't mistake my eagerness to share your wonderful writing with an open ticket to negate intelligence. Creating a story that charmingly coaxes me to the *suspension of belief* is very different from insisting that I accept glaring flaws and deviations. I may be jaded, may have lost my naivete, but I can go with any flow as long as it doesn't tumble over boulders of glaring impracticality. But, you see what you think:
1) all of the men, including the terrorists, are immediately enamored of Roxanne and her operatic talent;
2) the terrorists willingly fly in tubs of $1000 eye cream from France, lemon-scented shampoo from Italy, and crates of sheet music for Roxanne;
3) the terrorists allow the hostages to spread out through the mansion, occupying the bedrooms, dressing from the generous host's closets;
4) the out-numbered hostages secretly conjugate under the noses of the vigilant terrorists, some even meeting in the pantry for sex;
5) a young guerilla (whom speaks only his native language) spontaneously bursts into perfect opera, going on to conquer German, French, and Italian operas in weeks under the tutelage of Roxanne (who knows none of his language);
6) the captors come to enjoy their captivity as well as their captors - cooking meals together, playing chess - soccer on the grounds..."Hostages vs. Terrorists";
7) the vice president, whose home has been overtaken, decides to adopt a young terrorist when the siege ends.......I've belabored the point. It began to warp into a bizarre summer camp for the international, multi-lingual elite.
I can't deny the beauty contained in the pages, the charm, the graceful flow of prose; I've always found Patchett's writing to be melodic, even at times ethereal, I understand her following. The scenes in this novel evoked beautiful stage settings; a world suspended in a snow globe, caught in graceful slow motion with the chaos of the outside world spinning around the center scene. There is a sense of romantic melancholy, the opera-like impending doom, barely camouflaged by all of the lovely farce. The narrator does an excellent job, and has a mellifluous voice that had me believing she herself could launch a successful music career. I enjoyed her presentation very much, and think she could be a part of any book choice I make in the future.
After 5 Patchett novels, I have to realize that no matter how intriguing Patchett's premises may seem to me, we are not a copacetic match. (The tree-gnawing hallucinatory pregnant elderly natives from State of Wonder still boggle my mind.) She may make beautiful music, but I can't get beyond the scratches and jumps to hear the song. [*Thank you for your time reading my opinion.]
181 of 206 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Nicky Gleason
- 13-05-2007
Surprisingly engrossing
I looked at this book about 20 times before finally deciding to download it. Although it received lots of other great reviews, I worried it would either be depressing or hard to get into. It was neither, and was extremely enjoyable -- I'd definitely give this one a thumbs up. One of those books that makes you examine what it means to live in the present moment and enjoy the beauty of every day.
48 of 54 people found this review helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
- M. C. Thomas
- 28-08-2008
Characters are Fleshed Out/ Plot is Slow
This book did not rivet me or make me excited to listen and hear what would happen next, but because of all of the good reviews and awards by the experts I stuck with it. I decided it was worth my listening time to wait for the payoff at the end. I knew there would be no plot surprise, because the author told me at the beginning of the book what was going to happen, so I was left wondering what was going to be the "other payoff." This is the deepening understanding that comes through spending hours with a group of characters that finally in the end show you something new about yourself. Unfortunately for me that did not happen. However, I did like all of the characters and I think the author painted a clear picture of most of her leads. I cared about them and I felt the pathos of what happened to them. I still was thinking of the book a couple of days later. But can I say that I enjoyed my listening experience? Maybe, but I don’t think it is one of my favorites.
Going back to the rave reviews and literary awards. I can see that the union between her subject matter (opera) and her stylistic form was very well crafted. This form makes for a great discussion in a book review. However, is that a reason to highly recommend a book to readers? No.
A suggestion... If these characters did more than sit around a house for four months getting to know each other the plot would have been more interesting.
36 of 43 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Rebecarol
- 25-11-2007
Brava! Encore!
Magnificent, Magnifico, Magnifique-- I'm not one to use superlatives yet wish I was fluent in Japanese, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Swedish...because this...canto...I almost hate to trivialize it by calling it anything other spans multiple cultures and sensibilities with a grace and and authenticity I rarely find in any book, any author. The author sets the conditions for the story early on, she tells you what will happen...yet it is impossible not to read, to become enraptured with the interlocking stories and characters as they reveal themselves to their most unlikely counterparts (artists, diplomats, terrorists...). The author's pitch is perfect all the way through, she manages a flawless denouement, Brava, Brava, Brava!
The narrator is perfectly matched to the book, I believed her in every character, gender, accent she personified - wonderful job on her part.
I hate to keep spewing these superlatives, but I think it's the kind of book that, if people read the summary of the plotline, they might shy away from -- so I hate to divulge...anything, just urge others to listen, it is my personal "read of the year."
17 of 21 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Chris
- 11-02-2005
Simply the best
This is the best audiobook I've ever listened to. I was spellbound by it. Anna Fields doesn't just narrate the story she becomes a dozen different people - most of them men! This is the kind of book that makes you wish for a traffic jam so you can listen longer. Of course, Patchett's story itself is compelling. The building of relationships between the hostages and the terrorists is perfectly built. By the end you've become a victim of Stockholm Syndrome yourself. I've recommended this book to just about everyone I know.
27 of 34 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Diana - Audible
- 16-04-2012
In my Top 10...
Maybe I love Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto so much because my father used to be an opera singer; maybe it’s because I found the story so compellingly original; but maybe, and most likely, it’s because it was recommended to me in my first week on the job here at Audible by my two favorite colleagues. But no matter the reason, this is a must-listen based on the late Anna Fields’ lyrical performance alone.
26 of 33 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Diana
- 17-12-2005
A Truly Beautiful Book
It's not often you find a book that has an excellent plot AND reads like poetry. I thought every sentence from this book was worth treasuring and pausing over, but I was so interested in seeing what was going to happen, that I rushed through it. Fortunately, I'll enjoy listening to it a second time just as much.
I loved all the well-developed characters, and it was so refreshing to read a book with such a unique premise.
This book had the effect of making me want to appreciate to the fullest every day of the rest of my life.
12 of 15 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- PlantCrone
- 17-06-2012
A wonderful story and narration
Reading reviews,I understand this novel isn't for everyone, however, it struck me in the heart and has remained with me since I finished it-I haven't wanted to begin another audio book because I'm still living with the people in the Vice-President's house.
I suppose it is a Stockholm Syndrome story at heart, but along with this easy to condemn psychological reaction is a group of sub plots, each detailing the intimate details of a group of people taken out of their usually busy lives and thrown together for months due to mis-planning of a group of Generals who don't realize they have grabbed for more than is possible.
There are several star individuals, but my favorites are the young soldiers Carmen and Cesar-both innocent young teens who have been exposed to a part of the world they never imagined. Carmen to true love and Cesar to the opera as sung by Roxanne Cos, a renown singer brought to this house and kept as a prisoner who decides to practice every day.
Gen, the translator is the catalyst that binds all 50 people, who speak many different languages. He is written in a delightful manner and really pulls things together.
The story moves slowly, which will irritate those who want action in their stories I think, but for me it was perfectly paced. Anna Fields did a superb job of accents and detailing different characters. She puts each of the characters personalities clearly into her reading.
I don't give 5 stars often but this novel rates that in my opinion. If a complex plot is to your liking, one with many characters and details, you will probably appreciate this story.
I sure enjoyed it.
20 of 26 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Hilke
- 24-08-2004
The Best
I've listened to dozens of audio books and this is the best one ever! The characters, very richly drawn right from the beginning, grow and change in surprising ways. The narration, complete with accents, was done beautifully. It never distacts and serves only to enhance the authors words. Even though the author wants you to know the inevitable outcome long before it happens, you will wait breathlessly to see how she writes about it. The author is masterful in her descriptions of everything from the state of mind of a female terrorist to the imprint left in the grass by 2 lovers.
35 of 46 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Helen
- 23-11-2004
Beautiful and moving
I find myself thinking about the Bel Canto characters as I fall asleep and when I wake up....and then I have to remind myself that they are not real people. I prefer non fiction to fiction, but this novel grabbed me in a way that was utterly unexpected and moving.
After listening to (and loving) Truth and Beauty, I decided to give Ms. Patchett's fiction a try. What can I say? Her writing feels like a personal gift to be treasured forever.
13 of 17 people found this review helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Kirstine Storey
- 13-12-2018
Just wonderful!
Beautiful and sad in equal measure. Exquisitely written and very well read. You can hear the music through the author's words.