Bel Canto

11 of our Hythe Book Group met outdoors to discuss two books including this .
Cliff gave an amazingly detailed synopsis of the first of our reads Ann Patchett’s: Bel Canto despite subsequently scoring the book a 0 (!) - partly due to what we all agreed was a rubbish ending ( an opinion it would seem shared by the Director of the film version that some of us all also watched on Amazon Prime) as well as what he felt was some appalling writing. The events were based on a real event which took place in Peru in 1996 . Opinions were divided with some of us scoring the book highly.

Classic plot scenario - displaced group of people brought together from different lives, countries, trapped in extreme circumstances - almost Big Brother-like - how they adapt, behave, developing relationships etc.

We know that at some point the inevitable is going to happen ( clue in the first chapter “ it was the guerrillas who would not survive the ordeal) so a sense of foreboding and tension hangs over the idyllic world that is created.

The emotional power and universality of music to transform, bring people together. Theme of language and communication - music transcends. 3rd person narrative - but we also gain insights into the inner life of some of the main characters and flashbacks to their previous lives.

Powerful, shocking and tragic final scene let down by an unbelievable and sentimental epilogue.

Couldn't stand the film - Julianne Moore annoying . Changed the ending.

8 people had read the book ( 3 not present ) - Total score 52 so an average score of 6.5