A book that works both as a paean to art and beauty and a subtly sly comedy of manners. Janet Maslin, New York Times A beautifully designed edition of number-one New York Times bestselling author Ann Patchetts prized classic, annotated and with an introduction by the author herself. "Tremendous fun... Rereading this terrific novel with [Patchett]... is a master class in fiction writing conveyed in marginalia that has the tone of an ideal dinner conversation." Ron Charles, The Washington Post First published in 2001, Bel Canto is possibly Ann Patchetts most beloved novel. Set in an unnamed South American country, at the home of the vice president, it is the story of a lavish birthday party honoring Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful Japanese businessman. Roxanne Coss, operas most revered soprano, has enthralled the international guests with a mesmerizing performance. The evening is perfectuntil a band of gun-wielding terrorists takes the entire party hostage. But in Patchetts skilled hand