Fourth Estate Bel Canto

Ann Patchett is an author that I have heard of but had never read any of her books. This book was recommended by a friend (whose taste I admire) and coincided with the author's latest book receiving some very positive marketing. So it's fair to say that I had high expectations.Whilst I was reading the book I was talking to others about it and many people I know have read it.To my delight I found this book to give me real joy as it is an amazing study of human nature. The action is set in an unspecified South American country where a party is drawn to an abrupt ending by a group of terrorists who then take everyone as hostages.We then follow the progress of the situation and observe how the relationships develop.In some ways the writing is immensely claustrophobic with frequent mention of the day to day detail necessary to maintain life and sanity. Surrounding this there is much beauty and love which seems both unlikely and absolutely natural at the same time.Inside the house the terrorists and the hostages seem content for time to drift as their lives slow down and it's very much the same for the reader. It is odd how such a gripping book took me a long time to read - that's usually a bad sign but with this book I was just savouring it.As the end approaches the tension for the reader mounts - we know the book is running out of pages but the hostages still have no idea what is going to happen (and I loved the end of the book, it was surprising but completely plausible).I was particularly curious about how the passing of time was illustrated. It would have been easy for the author to date time chapters (or something similar) but it is handled in a much more subtle way with the reader having to search for clues (clothes needing to be washed and beards having been grown as just two examples). We really only have a vague idea about how long the siege has been underway which is much the same for all those involved.

This had a really promising start but ran out of steam quite quickly. The set up of the hostage situation was well done but it failed to keep my attention as nothing interesting happens after the initial set up right up until the last ten pages. This may have been the point but there are ways of making the mundane interesting but this was mostly dull. There were also too many characters and I didn't feel I got to know any of them. I would have preferred more focus on a select few as I was left wanting to know more about a couple of them.However, this was still a 3 star read for me as I did like the writing style and there were moments I really did like and hoped would develop. The ending was brilliantly written too, although I agree with the general consensus that the epilogue was unnecessary.

I agree with the reviewer who likened this novel to Marmite. I started it three times and made it a third way through when I gave up. For me it just wasn't going anywhere and nothing much was happening.Patchett is an engaging writer when there is a good story to be told. I loved The Dutch House and Patron Saint of Liars, both five stars for me, but this one disappoints. She is so good with titles, isn't she? Bel Canto and Patron Saint of Liars...very original and captivating.

Enchanting story, told wonderfully. Read the negative reviews from those who expected a conventional action thriller and were disappointed. In fact this book is something far, far better. It has its tensions, but these are much more subtle as the characters and their relationships unfold in strange circumstances. And if you like music, especially opera, you are in for a rare treat.

I first read this when it won the Costa, and found it very week and weedy. So maybe now I am coming to it with fewer expectations. For whatever reason I found it easier to take it on it's own terms, and enjoy the fact that it subverts the hostage/heist-movie expectations that the dynamic beginning sets up. So its quite gentle, and wombles around, and ends improbably with people coupled up, but this time I found this an enjoyable ride, I believed the characters (essential for me) and I was happy to go along with it.