LUCY BURDETTE: Remember a few months ago when we talked it about what fun it would be to have a Jungle Red book club? And then Bel Canto came up as a perfect book to discuss, and Kristopher Zgorski came up as the perfect discussion leader? Well we're going to make it happen! Kristopher has very kindly come up with some good questions--and some Youtube clips to get you in the mood. All you have to do is read the book and think about these questions by January 18. Mark your calendars, ok?
2. How does the closed environment setting of the mansion work
to elevate the suspense?
3. Think about the role language plays throughout Bel Canto. Keep in mind that music is
referred to as “the universal language.”
How do music and language serve different roles with in the action of
the novel?
4. Think about which characters are the most interesting to you
and try to get a sense of why that might be. Do you think Ann Patchett intended
readers to feel closer to some characters over others?
5. Bel Canto was
released in May 2001, just a few months before the September 11 terrorist
attacks. Do you think US readers experience the novel differently now that the
risk of such attacks on home soil is no longer unthinkable?
_______________________
Listen to performances of two opera arias important within
the story of Bel Canto. It is worth
noting here that Renee Fleming is generally accepted to be the inspiration for Roxanne
Coss – the diva in the novel.
Renee Fleming performing Song to the Moon:
Angela Gheorghiu performing O mio babbino caro:
Lastly, in November 2015, Bel Canto (the novel) was turned into Bel Canto (the opera) having a premiere at the Lyric Opera of
Chicago. Here is a sampling of the music, sets, and costumes from that
production:
Lucy again: The system for our discussion will probably be a little clunky--I'm thinking you can post any answer any time on 1/18--just label it with the corresponding number. But suggestions welcome! And thank you Kristopher Zgorski!
How exciting! Thanks so much for making this happen --- I’m hunting through my bookshelves now . . . .
ReplyDeleteI am over the moon about this book club!!!!!!!! And, I am over the moon about Kristopher leading the discussions!!!!!!!! And, I am over the moon about Bel Canto being the first selection!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI read Bel Canto some years ago, and I've long wanted to reread it. Now, I have a great impetus to spur me to reread action and the opportunity to delve more deeply into it through a well-guided discussion. Kristopher, you have provided wonderful questions and points of interest to investigate.
As Hank is known to say, I'm floating!
Bel Canto has been on my t-b-r list since it came out...maybe this is the push I need to read it. Thanks for the lovely music.
ReplyDeleteBel Canto has been on my t-b-r list since it came out...maybe this is the push I need to read it. Thanks for the lovely music.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like fun! Bel Canto will be added to my TBR list for the new year! And having Kristopher lead the book club is a great idea! Looking forward to the discussions.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I have it... somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI was in a face to face book club many years ago, and this is the book we read! I completely completely love it. And I know just where my coffee is… So excited about this! Thank you Lucy and Kristopher!
ReplyDeleteHappy to help bring this wonderful book to the attention of new readers - and re-readers. I have a feeling that most of the Jungle Red followers are going to love this particular novel - part thriller, part social commentary, and part character study (oh yes, and with a love story).
ReplyDeleteSee you all in January!
I just searched high and low for my copy, with no luck. But I'm very excited to discuss Bel Canto with so many smart readers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the video clips, Kristopher; El mio babbino caro always takes me to a transcendental place in my mind.
This should be fun. Thanks to Kristopher for leading the discussion and Lucy for asking him!
ReplyDeleteI listened to Bel Canto on audiobook, and the narrator, Anna Fields, was amazing. If you like audiobooks, I highly recommend it -- it was a wonderful listening experience ~
ReplyDeleteSheer coincidence or serendipity? I'm reading Patchett's This is the Story of a Happy Marriage right now.
ReplyDeleteThat's a terrific book, we listened to it in the car on the way south to Key West. It's not that easy to find a book that both John and I are interested in but this one fit the bill!
DeleteI read "Bel Canto" years ago and remember loving it. I'm looking forward to reading it again, and I'm already intrigued by Kristopher's questions. Thanks for the audio book idea, Celia.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat, and I am in. I first read BEL CANTO not long after it came out, and I regard it as one of the "great books" of my time. But I didn't know that Renee Fleming was an inspiration for Roxanne Cross. She is from Rochester, studied at Eastman here. I've been privileged to see in in concert, right after 9/11, in a benefit. I forget all the things she sang except for the encore number. It was "Danny Boy", a Capella, with not a dry eye in the house.
ReplyDeleteHer mother still lives here, and we wonder if Renee stays in her old bedroom with the Barbie bedspread when she comes to visit.
Thank you Kristopher for agreeing to lead this discussion. It's just what we need after the rush of the holidays. I shall wait to reread BEL CANTO until the week before so I can participate in the discussion other than by the seat of my pants.
I love this book. My editor was her editor at the time and I got a pre pub copy. It was such exquisite writing, so painful, so gorgeous in every possible way. Thank you for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteThis will be wonderful. I have read other Ann Padgett books, but never BEL CANTO. Looking forward to it - and to listening to the opera!
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ReplyDeleteI love this book. Love that my pal Kristopher is leading our discussion. How fun is all this?!
We heard Renee Fleming sing at the SF Symphony 2016 Gala.
ReplyDeleteI have been meaning to read Bel Canto.
Diana
that's so lucky Diana!
ReplyDeleteand you too Naomi--a treat to get a pre-pub copy!
Ann, love your question about whether Renee stays in her childhood room. I can only imagine how sad O Danny Boy was--I get tears in my eyes no matter who sings that one...
I saw Renee Fleming perform in La Jolla, CA. We had front row seats - I still don't know how that happened - but it was one of the most glorious nights of my life. She's not called The Beautiful Voice for nothing.
ReplyDeleteI found my copy--never read. So excited about this!! And I've seen Renee Fleming perform, so love that she was the inspiration for a character!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited! Honestly, this book wasn't on my radar, but with all these endorsements I know I will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI do have a thought about the format for the discussion, though. Might it be easier to follow and more enjoyable if each of the five questions was posted separately? That way one could follow a thread of discussion on just one major idea easily, take a breath, and then click into a different one. I anticipate lots of wonderful Reds and Reds readers will have insights and reflections to share, and I'd love to be able to savor each of the five questions.
Either way, it is sure to be fun. Thank you, Kristopher, for taking the lead!
Oh fun! I will get a copy of Bel Canto next time I'm at the book store. Thanks in advance for your efforts Kristopher.
ReplyDeleteOne of my all time favorite books. Should be an interesting discussion. BTW: The Wall Street Journal does an online book club. You might look at how they do it for ideas on how to proceed.
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