Reading "Bel Canto"

"You'll find a few hours of entertainment and maybe even a strange yearning to be kidnapped."
-- Time Out New York



I'd seen it in a book review somewhere. It couldn't have been that impressive however since it is no where in my records as a 'must read' or 'must own' book in my "Book Lover's Diary". But like most of my first impressions, my tune soon changed once I met a classmate's enthusiasm for the above mentioned fiction as she was in her final pages of this novel. "A must read!" she said during the break 90 minutes into Polish class. "I'll give it to you when I'm done."

I have found that books recommended and already read by friends are the best. It is even better when you are in love with the book lender as reading then becomes a strange connection- as if you are tapping into the subconscious memories and words once covered and lurking in the mind somewhere of he/she whom you adore. Yes, reading is romantic and I do it 'chetnie.'

I am ashamed to admit then that my list of books caressed and conquered have diminished over the last year and a half. In 2003 from March to October I read 23 books, 2 which were on tape. In 2004 I read only 4. It was a hard year for love. This year I have managed to finish about one a month, in addition to my goal of reading through the Bible and Spirit of prophecy. It's not that I'm a slow reader, because surely I gobble down those bad boys within a few days. Chodzi mi oto, ze I have no one to lend me books- books already lovingly read and remembered and ready to pass on to a loving and memorable mind.

Such a story creates the backdrop for what began 100 pages Thursday, 150 pages Friday, 27 pages Saturday night and the rest this afternoon. 'Bel Canto' ended up being nothing of the cheesy read I initially thought it would be, but an original idea capturing many aspects of the basic needs of humanity, how we come to need those we have no choice but to be with, and how they sustain us. In other words, I couldn't put it down.

Why then, did Ann Patchett have to break my heart with a nose dive ending which leaves me feeling like not only did I misread the whole book, but I didn't really read it at all. WHAT IS THE ENDING SAYING TO ME????? That there is no triumph in love except in a love that comes out of no where and can't even really be love because how can Gen ever escape Carmen in the china closet!???!!!??? UG!!!!!!!!! Is it in Mr. Hosokawa's reflection upon sneaking up the back stairs to meet with Roxanne that 'Maybe the private life (ie, a love that at this point in the story was quite illicit) wasn't forever. Maybe everyone got it for a little while and then spent the rest of their lives remembering.'

Is this what I am left with Ann??? I feel emotionally molested.

http://www.annpatchett.com/belcanto.html