"An unusual terrorist thriller"

Ann Patchett has put together an intriguing novel about some surprising aspects of human nature. The outward plot of her novel is the capture of a group of well-to-do socialites by a poverty-stricken South American terrorist organization. Fifteen "soldiers" headed by three generals storm a party held in honor of Katsumi Hosokawa, a Japanese businessman. It's Hosokawa's birthday. According to his request, a famous American opera singer, Roxane Coss, is invited. The party is in the Vice President's home. The country's president, Masuda, is invited, but he decides at the last moment not to come. He is the real target of the terrorists. His absence puts the vice president Ruben Iglesias, his family, staff, and guests in peril as the terrorists decide to hold them as hostages in exchange for the president.

A frightening experience at first, the terrified hostages listen as the terrorists hold to their demands, and realize that the government, of course, will never surrender the president. The novel acquires depth when Joachim Messner, a vacationing Red Cross Mediator interrupts his vacation and tries to end the standoff. Messner successfully negotiates the release of some of the hostages, but the terrorists will not release Roxane, and Father Arquedas refuses to leave the hostages stranded.

Messner tries his best to work out a peaceful surrender but time drags on. Everyone's personalities gradually come out, bursting through the roles the people and terrorists had when the crisis began. Friendships develop across hostage/terrorist boundaries: assistance, mutual help, even love affairs.

Finally, after many months, the inevitable happens, which Ann Patchett handles in a dramatic way. Patchett's dealing with the human side of her characters gives the novel great depth and understanding. She makes you wonder what this world would be like if everybody searched their own souls carefully before rushing into actions they will later regret.

The novel is slow moving, the action not as swift and dramatic as it could be. One has to apply oneself to read every word. Other than this, the novel tells an interesting story with deep insight into human nature.

Reviewed by Maurice A. Williams
Posted August 23, 2003