What’s Up With the Title?

First things first: the title is in Italian. But it's pretty easy to pronounce even if your Italian skills aren't up there with Gen's. And it sounds kinda pretty, right? Well, it should, since Bel Canto means "beautiful singing." Which makes it not a bad title, since that's exactly what the book is about.

Bel Canto also brings to mind a group of influential opera singers who sang in a certain style. People like Maria Callas, whose recordings a singer like Roxane Coss would likely have grown up listening to and admiring. So for lots of people it brings to mind talented, showstopping singers like Roxane.

And let's not forget that all that beautiful singing has an impact on the lives of all the novel's characters, terrorists and hostages alike. The emphasis here is on the music, not the scary hostage situation. Which is a pretty big win for art, if you ask us.