It is often with some trepidation that I open the cover of a book recommended by a friend. Particularly if it's one I know is greatly loved. Good books are like good companions, you can get awfully attached to them. What if I didn't appreciate what this companion could be? What if we didn't get on? Conversely, if I have an affinity with the person making the recommendation there is much potential that a treat is in store... these thoughts and more were passing through my mind as I opened Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett. One of my lovely friend Alana Wiens' favourite novels.
Alana is an intelligent, compassionate and interesting woman with whom I have passed many an hour talking about life, the universe and everything. So when she blogged about the book she's read more than once I was intrigued... Bel Canto did not disappoint!
To describe this book would be to mislead you. It is surprising, interesting, touching, enchanting, intriguing and thought provoking. It is about love, fear, politics, youth, talent, culture, music, beauty, language, translation, power and much, much more. I absolutely loved it. Like the characters it creates, I did not want the story to end... but end it must. If you're in the mood for something original and interesting I highly recommend it to you. I won't tell you anything about the plot as it will give you totally the wrong idea about the genre and style of writing. I suggest you go in blind and enjoy the tale...