The Story Archive

Bel Canto

Ann Patchett · 2001 CE · Novel · Modern / American · Contemporary

Guerrillas storm a birthday party at the vice-presidential residence in an unnamed South American country, taking hostage the guests, among them a Japanese industrialist and the soprano hired to sing for him. Weeks of captivity dissolve the lines between captor and captive; loosely inspired by the 1996 siege of the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima.

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