Book Club 10AM

SYC Book Club - Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 10am Regatta Room

On Wednesday, December 15, The SYC Book Club will meet in the Regatta Room at 10am to discuss Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. This month the book will be discussed followed by the movie and lunch.

In an unnamed South American country, a world-renowned soprano sings at a birthday party in honor of a visiting Japanese industrial titan. His hosts hope that Mr. Hosokawa can be persuaded to build a factory in their Third World backwater. Alas, in the opening sequence, just as the accompanist kisses the soprano, a ragtag band of 18 terrorists enters the vice-presidential mansion through the air conditioning ducts. Their quarry is the president, who has unfortunately stayed home to watch a favorite soap opera. And thus, from the beginning, things go awry.

Among the hostages are not only Hosokawa and Roxane Coss, the American soprano, but an assortment of Russian, Italian, and French diplomatic types. Reuben Iglesias, the diminutive and gracious vice president, quickly gets sideways of the kidnappers, who have no interest in him whatsoever. Meanwhile, a Swiss Red Cross negotiator named Joachim Messner is roped into service while vacationing. He comes and goes, wrangling over terms and demands, and the days stretch into weeks, the weeks into months.

With the omniscience of magic realism, Ann Patchett flits in and out of the hearts and psyches of hostage and terrorist alike, and in doing so reveals a profound, shared humanity. 

At the conclusion of the meeting we will have lunch delivered to the Regatta Room and watch the film, Bel Canto. We always look forward to welcoming new members. If you would like to join the Book Club, click 'Register' below, then click here to view the Book Club schedule.

If you have any inquiries, please contact Marysue Wechsler at [email protected]  or Marlene Lancaster at [email protected].