The Great Books Group is discussing Bel Canto by Ann Patchett in its Zoom meeting on Monday, December 14th at 10 am.
Based on the Japanese embassy hostage crisis of 1996–1997 in Lima, Peru, the novel follows the relationships among a group of young terrorists and their hostages, who are mostly high-profile executives and politicians, over several months. Many of the characters form unbreakable bonds of friendship, while some fall in love. Opera is a centralizing theme on many levels throughout the story; the operatic term bel canto literally means “beautiful singing.”
Those interested in joining the Zoom group meeting should contact Sue Morgan. Those interested in using e-mail to express their thoughts should contact Joyce Prewitt.
The book to be discussed at the January 11 Zoom meeting is The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson.