Last week’s events in Mumbai have a horribly familiar ring. Ann Patchett, in her Orange

Bel Canto

Prize winning Bel Canto, published by 4th Estate in 2002, created a scenario that began and ended in much the same way.

In Bel Canto, a poor Latin American country has hosted a gathering in the hope of promoting trade.  They have invited an opera diva to perform for the a Japanese company CEO. The Vice President’s home is the scene of the soirée and of the terrorist attack.

The President, target of the attack, has stayed at home to watch his favourite soap so, when large numbers of armed terrorists invade the building, the scene is set for weeks of siege with negotiation taking place outside.

The highly-armed, angry, relatively impoverished terrorists move into uncomfortable co-existence with the well-heeled international reception guests. Up to this point, the novel has moved fast, but now we live with the terrorists and victims. Relationships develop and a kind of mutual understanding – even love affairs.

We are reminded of Patty Hearst’s involvement with the Symbionese Liberation Army as we follow the reasoning of some of these uncultivated terrorists who have uncompromising attitudes towards their captives and little to lose. However, we, the readers, know that there is no way out for the terrorists.

A short epilogue seems out of place – the readers did not want the wedding that takes place – still, this is a feeling examination of terrorist and hostage mentality.

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