Review of Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

**Review of Bel Canto by Ann Patchett**

Bel Canto (2001) by Ann Patchett is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that explores themes of love, communication, and human connection in the most unexpected of circumstances. Set in an unnamed South American country, the story centers around a hostage crisis at a lavish party attended by diplomats, businessmen, and high-profile guests, including a famous opera singer, Roxane Coss. The party is interrupted by a group of rebels who take everyone hostage, intending to negotiate the release of political prisoners. What unfolds over the course of the siege is a profound exploration of how these diverse individuals—initially strangers to each other—forge unexpected and complex relationships.

Patchett's storytelling is deeply compassionate and nuanced, offering a window into the intricacies of human behavior under extreme duress. Bel Canto examines the ways in which people navigate isolation, language barriers, and emotional distance, highlighting the power of art, music, and the human spirit to bring people together even in the most harrowing of situations. The novel is both a meditation on artistic expression and a poignant reflection on the unpredictable nature of human connection and the lengths to which we will go for love, understanding, and survival.

Themes in Bel Canto

The Power of Music and Art: One of the central themes of Bel Canto is the power of music and art to transcend cultural, political, and emotional boundaries. The opera singer, Roxane Coss, serves as the embodiment of this theme, as her music captivates not only the hostages but also the rebels. Despite the tension and violence that surrounds them, music becomes a unifying force that fosters unexpected bonds between the captives and their captors. Music and art, in Patchett’s portrayal, become means of communication, comfort, and even resistance in a world that is often divided by language and politics. Through Roxane's voice, Patchett highlights the ability of art to soothe, connect, and heal in the most dire of circumstances.
Love and Human Connection: Bel Canto is also an exploration of love and its many forms, from romantic love to the more subtle, yet equally profound, connections that develop between individuals who are thrown together by chance. Throughout the novel, Patchett examines how love transcends the barriers of nationality, class, and even captivity. The hostages, who come from different walks of life, are forced to interact with their captors, and over time, deep emotional connections form in unexpected and complicated ways. These relationships highlight the novel’s belief in the resilience and complexity of the human heart. In this enclosed environment, where everyone is isolated from the outside world, love takes on a different significance—it becomes a lifeline, a source of solace, and a way of maintaining one’s humanity in the face of fear.
Language and Communication: Another significant theme in the novel is the idea of communication, particularly how individuals communicate when faced with the limitations of language and the barriers that divide them. At the beginning of the crisis, there is a language barrier between the hostages and their captors, as many of the rebels do not speak Spanish, and most of the guests do not speak the rebels’ language. Over time, however, the lack of shared language becomes less important, as the hostages and rebels find other ways to connect with each other—through gestures, shared experiences, and, most poignantly, through music. This breakdown of linguistic boundaries serves as a powerful metaphor for the novel’s broader exploration of human connection, suggesting that communication goes beyond mere words.
The Absurdity of Politics and Violence: Set against the backdrop of political instability, Bel Canto also addresses the absurdity of politics and violence. The novel's setting, a hostage situation driven by a political motive, illustrates how political struggles and violence often result in human suffering and injustice that are far removed from the original goals of the conflict. The rebels, whose initial intentions are politically motivated, find themselves in an ever-deepening emotional quandary as they bond with their hostages. Patchett critiques the ineffectiveness of violence as a tool for change and highlights the inherent humanity of both the oppressed and the oppressors, who are forced to confront their shared vulnerability.
Isolation and Confinement: The theme of isolation is prevalent throughout Bel Canto, both physical and emotional. The characters are isolated in the mansion during the siege, cut off from the outside world, and forced into close proximity with people they otherwise would never have encountered. The experience of captivity exposes the characters to their deepest emotions, fears, and desires. While this forced confinement could be seen as a negative experience, it also allows for self-reflection and the development of unexpected bonds. The theme of isolation speaks to the broader human condition, showing how people, even in extreme circumstances, have the capacity for growth and connection.

Character Roles in Bel Canto

Roxane Coss: Roxane Coss is the novel’s central character and a world-renowned opera singer. Her stunning voice and musical talent are the catalyst for much of the novel’s exploration of art and communication. Roxane’s role as a celebrated artist in a world that is mired in violence makes her both a symbol of beauty and refinement and a figure of vulnerability. Throughout the novel, she navigates her position as an object of desire and admiration, but her character also undergoes significant emotional growth, as she becomes deeply connected to the other characters—both hostages and rebels. Through Roxane, Patchett emphasizes the power of art to transcend political and social boundaries and to connect people on a deeply emotional level.
Bennedetta (Benny) Salazar: Benny Salazar is a character whose role in the story is to represent the human side of the political situation. A businessman caught up in the political chaos, he becomes entangled with the other hostages and rebels in ways that initially seem improbable. As he builds relationships with both the captives and the captors, he finds himself questioning his role in the world and his prior understanding of morality, power, and compassion. Benny represents the universal human experience of learning to understand one’s own humanity through the eyes of others.
The Rebels: The rebels in Bel Canto are initially depicted as antagonists with a political agenda, but as the story progresses, they are revealed to be deeply human characters with their own emotions, desires, and struggles. Among the rebels, Gustavo emerges as a key character who finds himself conflicted between his revolutionary ideals and the deep emotional bonds that develop with the hostages. The rebels are portrayed as individuals trapped in their own ideological beliefs, yet they too undergo emotional transformations as they experience personal growth and connection with the hostages.
The Hostages: The hostages in the novel, while initially defined by their social status and backgrounds, are increasingly revealed as vulnerable and human as the siege continues. They include figures from different walks of life, including politicians, diplomats, and businessmen. Their interactions with one another and with the rebels bring out complex emotions of fear, love, and desperation. The gradual unraveling of their personal stories and their relationships with each other and the rebels adds emotional depth to the narrative, illustrating how human connection can be formed even under the most extreme circumstances.

Linguistic Tools in Bel Canto

Descriptive and Lyrical Prose: Patchett’s prose in Bel Canto is lyrical and evocative, particularly in the way she describes the beauty of music and its transformative effects on the characters. Her vivid descriptions of sound, sight, and emotion create an immersive reading experience, allowing readers to feel the tension, longing, and beauty that pervades the characters’ lives. The music, especially Roxane’s singing, serves as a symbol of unity, emotional catharsis, and transcendence.
Multiple Perspectives: Patchett uses multiple perspectives throughout the novel, shifting between the viewpoints of the hostages, rebels, and outsiders. This approach allows readers to see the same events through different lenses and enhances the themes of connection and misunderstanding. The various viewpoints give depth to the characters and their relationships, highlighting the ways in which individual perceptions shape the experiences of those caught in the same situation.
Dialogue and Silence: The novel makes use of dialogue and silence to explore the themes of communication and miscommunication. Conversations between the hostages and rebels reveal the complexities of their emotions and motivations, while moments of silence or non-verbal communication highlight the emotional distance or closeness between individuals. Through the interplay of spoken and unspoken words, Patchett illustrates the ways in which language can both connect and divide.

Conclusion

Bel Canto is a moving and beautifully crafted exploration of human connection, the power of art, and the complexities of love and politics. Through its unique narrative structure and compelling characters, the novel examines the ways in which people form deep emotional bonds, even in the most unlikely and extreme circumstances. Patchett’s lyrical prose and insightful portrayal of the dynamics between hostages and rebels make Bel Canto a profound meditation on communication, identity, and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a novel that reminds readers of the transformative power of art and human connection in a world often divided by fear and ideology.