This book was absolutely amazing. As a character-driven novel, Bel Canto reveals humanity in its purest form, providing for an emotionally affective story. I consider this book to be a five because as I read it seemed as though I was uable to turn the pages quickly enough; ironically as I absorbed the story, I realized the inevitable ending of the novel, yet suppressed my knowledge for my hope of a happy ending. Such an ability to deeply affect a reader reveals the brilliance of an author.

The narrative is filled with comic irony, although Patchett's style is so subtle that at times I did not realize I was smiling. On one level, it is a romantic fantasy, a vision of so much that is good about humanity and then a sad reminder of what is bad. We are asked, for a time, to suspend our belief in the obvious, the inevitable. And so gently and gracefully does Patchett weave a web of a budding paradise that she has readers believing in the impossible. The transition to reality takes no one by surprise. We know, in the back of our minds, what will happen. Patchett manipulates our emotional responses so skillfully that we do not even notice it. In the end, she delivers a perfectly right, charming little surprise that allows us to exit on a high note. Finally, the great simplicity of language should make it relatively easy to translate this book into other languages while losing very little of its beauty and meaning.

Political farce gets a new face. Some people have a hard time stomaching after 9/11, but just goes to show the books power. Very sublime. Laugh out loud and yet completely tragic. I love this book. It's like neo-magical realism. Can't wait to read the rest of the authors works. Bravo!

The interaction of the characters was riveting. After page 100 I couldn't put it down. I very much enjoyed the way the author went from one character to another and told their background story and their side of the event. It gave the reader multiple perspectives and allowed you to see what drove the characters to act the way that they did.

I loved this book! I am not at all musical so I don't know how plausible the extreme effect of music on the characters is but the book is a beautifully rich look at a variety of individuals in a unique situation.

Charming, powerful, and lyrically written. I could hear the music, embrace the lovers, share the hopes of the terrorists, both individually and collectively. As I got closer to the end, I tried to devise a positive outcome for all. The brutal ending was inevitable.

This was a wonderful book -- well written by Ann Patchett -- catching the true personalities of the characters. The situation described was unusual and captured your interest from page one! There was no second guessing the ending -- and you almost wished it would never end. A tale of intrigue, passion and humor -- it caught your attention made you want to "participate" yourself. By all means -- READ IT!

This book succeeds very well as a modern fable. There are wonderful, if broadly drawn, characters - almost caricatures. The message of wasted potential is powerful. There are characters to love, but none to hate. HOWEVER: What was up with the epilogue? I can't figure out why it was there. [edited to remove plot spoiler].