A review by mndyreads
Bel Canto Annotated Edition: A Novel by Ann Patchett

slow-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0


Oh man. What a book! 

I’m finding war and peace such a blessing to keep me books at a slow pace, and having this book annotated meant I really had to slow down. 

What a privilege to read a book annotated by Ann 20+ years on! 
I am always surprised with books like this, how much research and reading the author has to do. It impresses me! I know Ann says not to read the annotated version for the first time, but I’m glad I did! 

Gen is my baby! And I love him. And Carmen is my #1 and I love her even more. For me, their story ended as per her annotated note after their first night in the backyard (ie they escape and live happily every after) and that is how I sleep at night and how I can come to peace with the ending of the book lol. 

I loved Simon and how much he outwardly loved his wife and how everyone knew it. 

I loved the Russian guy and his story about his art book. How fun! And how interesting random people can be. 

The ages of people confused me. Particularly of Gen and his employer. I thought they were both older than they were and it wasn’t until they got with their ladies I had to bring their age down. Both their stories were very sweet. 

I loved the terrorists. All of them! Ishmael. Omg please don’t get me started. Cesar no don’t I can’t cry anymore!!!!!!!! Justice for all of them. 

It helped reading the epilogue with Anns context. I understand how grief can bring people together and how no one else in the world would ever understand their particular pain. But still. Gen and Carmen 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭