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Suzanne
Rating:
 
Review
This chronicle of a long-term hostage crisis is more character-driven than action-packed. It starts at a South American diplomatic party, thrown for Katsumi Hosokawa, the chairman of a Japanese electronics company. Guests have arrived from all around the globe to be regaled by the hypnotic, celestial arias of renowned opera diva Roxane Coss. In a dramatic conclusion to the party, terrorists take everyone hostage right at the end of Roxane's last note. They aren't the sophisticated, super-slick terrorists you see in the movies – they're natives from the undeveloped, isolated interior of the country. Day after day turns into week after week with no resolution, and as time seemingly comes to a standstill the hostages and terrorists alike form relationships with unlikely acquaintances. The most brilliant aspect of this strange life under siege is how the hostages rediscover some of their natural talents that were ignored or undervalued in their regular lives. The story isn't exactly riveting, but it's satisfying. The odd thing is that the real life Tupac Amaru terrorist event in Lima, Peru which inspired the story isn't even mentioned anywhere on my book jacket.
Best Line:
"He couldn't stop wondering how a girl like that had come through the air-conditioner vents with criminals."
Kim
Rating:
Review
Set in an undisclosed country where everyone speaks Spanish (hmmmm...) celebrated opera singer Roxane Coss is invited to sing at a dinner at the vice-president's house. Mr. Hosokawa, the founder of a large electronics company in Japan is the guest of honor, and the dinner party happens because the government is hoping he might build a factory in their poor country. Within the first few pages though, all hell breaks loose when terrorists storm the house, taking everyone inside hostage. They quickly allow all the servants, staff and the vice-president's children leave, along with all the women save one soprano. The story moves deftly between a lot of the characters, but it's never confusing since their stories and lives are so intertwined given the small space they are sharing. I liked how richly drawn everyone was, but I was very disappointed in the ending. Especially the Epilogue, which was much too contrived for my taste. It's classic Ann Patchett, and I still love the way she writes, though I liked The Patron Saint of Liars much better.
Best Line:
"If someone loves you for who you are then they have to know you, which means you have to know them."
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