Bel Canto

Content Warning: The novel recounts a hostage situation with its accompanying psychological stress. It also contains scenes of graphic violence. The term “terrorist” is used throughout to describe the group that takes the hostages, following the author’s lead. The novel invokes stereotypes about Indigenous peoples, and their role as terrorists here is one of these stereotypes. The novel also refers to sexual harassment.

Katsumi Hosokawa is celebrating his 53rd birthday. Mr. Hosokawa, as he is known throughout the book, heads Nansei, “the largest electronics corporation in Japan” (2). He is also a notable lover of opera, in particular the voice of the world-famous Roxanne Coss, a soprano from America. Thus, he has arranged to have her sing at his birthday party, which is held at the Vice Presidential mansion of an unspecified South American country. The government complies with his request and hires Coss because they hope he will build a factory in their country. The other attendees are upper-level Nansei employees, foreign dignitaries, and businessmen from various countries interested in investing in Nansei or the country itself. Gen Watanabe, Mr. Hosokawa’s polyglot translator, also accompanies his boss.

While the celebration itself goes smoothly, it ends in chaos.