By giving away the main plot and ending of the story within the chapter lets the reader focus on how the situation came to be instead of worrying the whole time about what’s going to happen. Not only that, but it is an effective way to grab the attention of the reader, leaving them to read the entire story whether they started willing or not. It lets the reader pay closer attention to the characters in the story, and the role they play. Even though characters are obviously an important part of any novel, readers aren’t always drawn to focus on that aspect and tend to give the plot and setting the center stage.
Up to page 40 Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful businessman and chairman of the largest electronic corporation in Japan, Nansei, has been introduced as one of the main characters. Mr. Hosokawa is a very professional man who is in his 50’s, or so I imagine. By his side stands his translator and otherwise secretary Gen Watanabe. Gen is described to have hair that is “heavy and long in the front” making him seem to have “a lack of seriousness”. But to Mr. Hosokawa’s good fortune, Gen gets things done better than any other translator he’s ever had in the past. Then there is Roxane Coss, the opera singer who’s music Mr. Hosokawa is so in love with. She is a fairly stunning woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, and Mr. Hosokawa feels as though some of her features are to large for her face. But she is mainly noticed for her voice. Her voice is described as one of the most beautiful things in the world. Anyone would be lucky to hear it. Ruben Iglesias is Vice President as well as host to Mr. Hosokawa's birthday party this year. In the novel, they mention the reason for Ruben's election as Vice President is because of the fact that he is shorter than President Masuda. They needed someone that could stand beside the president and make him look superior. Besides being the main host for this evening, Iglesias hasn't played a huge role so far, but I do believe that he is important.
As of now, Ruben is scared for his life, not worrying about jeopardizing his political career. He has just confessed the President's reasons for not being at the part to General Benjamin of the terrorists holding everyone hostage. Suffering from a case of shingles, General Benjamin is one of the leaders for this terrorist group. Him and his men are introduced as they barge in through windows and air vents, laced head-to-toe with guns, knives, and ammunition. The emotional characteristics for this character are hard to pinpoint since he is a leader of a terrorist organization, but I could guess that his emotions are not enjoyable ones. Everyone, including Gen Watanabe, Roxane Coss, and Mr. Hosokawa, all feel the same fear that this night may be their last. However, the guilt that Mr. Hosokawa feels separates his feelings from the rest. As they lay there on the floor of Ruben's house, he thinks to himself about how this is all his fault, how he didn't even want a big celebration like this, and how he wishes the President could be here to give the terrorists what they want.
In revealing the ending in the first chapter the author shifts the focus and allows the readers to see the story as a whole. There is more to the story than simply finding the ending and by revealing those details immediately the author pushes the story in a more whole direction. The story is no longer separated into units rather a complete unit.
In the first few paragraphs the first character introduced is the accompanist. His love for Roxanne Cross the famous opera singer was apparently too much for him and he kissed her. This act of passion is followed with many gestures to prove his love such as lying on top of her when the terrorist first attack. The accompanist is not the most interesting character however his love for Roxane gives him a human connection. Gen Watanabe is a calm young man who focuses on creating ease and fluency in his boss Katsumi Hosowaka a wealthy man and the head of Nansei the largest electronics corporation in Japan. Gen is probably my favorite character in the story so far his calm demeanor and awkwardly boyish looks make the important role he plays seem almost comical. Gen is critical in Mr Hosowaka's business life and in some ways his personal life. Gen keeps him organized he is the one link Hosowaka has to those around him especially in this situation. Katsumi Hosowaka the reason for this party and in his view the entire crisis now at hand. Hosowaka is a man worth a great deal of money however his loves are humble. He enjoys the opera and the quiet peace of his study, the man is simple in his interests and he enjoys life as such. Hosowaka feels responsible for the attack and this make it difficult for him to think clearly at the moment. The vice president is the final character worth mentioning he is a little man and he excepts this role. His anger towards the president is obvious from the insight the author gives as well as the development of his character. More than anything he brings forward a sense of pity with his battered and bloody head and longing to pretend none of this happen. The man is less of a political figure at this point and has become more of a mascot made to play the role of dignitary even though this is the one role he resents currently.
Although many characters are introduced the brief interactions and descriptions of each make the story seem less about the individual characters and more about the event itself.
When essentially beginning the book with the ending, the reader’s attention is instantly captured. In Bel Canto, we are introduced into an intense situation, leaving us to continue filling in the missing pieces. The reader is forced to focus on developing action and character descriptions to gather any information that might have to do with how one would arrive at the ending. Up to page 40, we have definitely been introduced to some pretty interesting characters. The main character is Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful Japanese businessman. He is very neat and successful. From pg.22, Mr. Hosokawa is mistaken for President Masuda as, “a Japanese man in his fifties wearing glasses.” Beneath Mr. Hosokawa’s tough outer shell, he is a passionate man. He dislikes travel and sharing his birthday with strangers, but because of his passion for opera he was able to ignore his burdens to hear the angelic voice of Roxane Coss. Roxane Coss is the beautiful and lyric soprano, with a voice that makes everyone fall in love with her. Mentally, she believes above everyone else that she will survive the terrorist attack, because she’s a star! At this point, her fame defines her. Next is Gen Wantanabe, Mr. Hosokawa’s translator. He knows many languages and serves are the communication between the terrorists and the hostages. At this point, I feel we don’t know much about what is happening with Gen mentally. I can only assume he feels disconnected from the others because he is only facilitating speech, not having a direct conversation with anyone. General Benjamin and his “Band of Brothers” manage to seize a room filled with 222 people and take them hostage. To do so, and also have the plan of stealing the President, can only come from someone who is either incredibly intelligent or incredibly stupid. Physically, Benjamin’s face has been ravaged by shingles producing an appearance that is both intimidating and disgusting. President Masuda never makes an appearance at the party for he refuses to miss his favorite soap opera. In his place is Vice President Ruben Iglesias. His is the owner of the house in which the terrorists hold their captives. Mentally Ruben, along with all of the hostages, is fearing for his life. But he also believes the presidency will be handed down to him, but manages to destroy any chance when exposing where the president truly was that night.
I feel that by giving away the ending in the story the reader is forced to focus on the who, what, where, when, and why’s of the book, and not so much on the outcome. Its an interesting way to write a book because people with less maturity might just put it down right then and there. Also the author’s writing needs to make sure it can stand up to keep people interested since now there is no suspense for the end. Now we just have to see if Ann Patchett delivers. The first character introduced is the accompanist and not much is known about his character because he is only in the story for a short time and plays a bigger part once he dies. Roxanne Coss didn’t even think of him as anything until he died. Never the less he is described as, “…a man in his thirties from Sweden or Norway with fine yellow hair and beautiful, tapering fingers.” The next character is Mr. Hosokawa and he is obsessed with Roxanne Coss’s voice. “Roxanne Coss, lyric soprano, was the only reason Mr. Hosokawa had come to this country.” Mr. Hosokawa is a Japanese man who runs the largest electronics company in Japan. Gen Watanabe is Mr. Hosokawa’s personal translator. He seems like he will be an important part because I can’t imagine the captors speaking Japanese. He is described as “This translator was tall for being Japanese. His hair was heavy and long in the front and it brushed across the top rims of his small round glasses even as he tried to keep it parted to one side. He appeared to be quite young. It was the hair.” He is also described as an extension of Mr. Hosokawa and being quiet, which Mr. Hosokawa really likes about him. Roxanne Coss is another important character who, as Ms. Lamarre put it, is quite the diva. She is used to be the center of attention and I really don’t think that is going to change a whole lot throughout the book. “ Even those who saw her for the first time, before she opened her mouth to sing, found her radiant, as if her talent could not be contained in her voice and so poured like light through her skin.” She obviously is good at what she does. Another important character is the vice president, Ruben Iglesias. He is the backbone of the president and often feels slighted by him. “He was a very small man, both in stature and girth, who had been chosen as a running mate as much for his size as for his political beliefs.” The vice president had to step in for the president so the president could stay home and watch his soap operas. The terrorists also are vital parts to the story and are distinguished not by their attitudes but by their physical features. “ They did not introduce themselves at the time and so, for a while, they were thought of not by their names but by their most distinctive features. Benjamin: raging shingles. Alfredo: mustache, first and second fingers missing on left hand. Hector: gold wire glasses that had lost one arm. With the Generals came fifteen soliders who ranged in age from twenty to fourteen.” Then at the end of the forty pages another character, Joachim Messner, is introduced. He is with the Red Cross and will most likely play a bigger role once I get further in the book. He is very blond and fair.
In the book, Bel Canto, the ending is given away in the first few pages of the novel. The book begins with a few detailed descriptions, but quickly reveals that the novel ends well, or doesn’t end badly at the very least. This takes some of the tension away from the plot, and puts more emphasis on the characters and how their relationships change and grow over the course of the book. Immediately, on page 9 of the novel, the author tells about how the guests would not remember the beauty of the party because of the events that followed, yet made clear that in the end, no one was permanently damaged. Knowing this, one can focus entirely on the characters and how they shape the plot, rather than how the plot will shape the characters. Mr. Hosokawa is an important businessman, who is the “founder and chairman of Nansei, the largest electronics corporation in Japan.” Mr. Hosokawa is a very powerful and influential man, and the government of the host country planned a birthday party for him in order to try to secure the building of electronics factories in the country. On page 3, it is made clear that Mr. Hosokawa is not interested in building any such factories and has only traveled to the country and agreed to come to his party because of the promise of a live opera performance by his favorite soprano. Mr. Hosokawa has very emotional and sentimental connections to opera, remembering seeing his first when he was a child. From the first 40 pages, it is made abundantly clear that Mr. Hosokawa is very devoted to opera an loves it very dearly. The president of the host country, President Masuda, is also a very interesting character. He wants to contact and persuade Mr. Hosokawa, yet he neglects going to the party because he must watch his favorite soap opera. On page 10, the author writes “Among the President’s cabinet members and advisers it was an open secret that matters of state could not be held Monday through Friday for one hour beginning at two in the afternoon or Tuesday evening for one hour beginning at nine.” This conflicted with Mr. Hosokawa’s birthday celebration, and although President Masuda was persuaded to go to the party, he canceled, unable to give up his television. Vice President Rubin Iglesias, a short man, chosen for not only his politics, but also his height, which was supposed to make the president look more powerful. Rubin Iglesias organized the dinner for the most part and held it in his own home, a gracious host to Mr. Hosokawa and the other company. Gen Watanabe, Mr. Hosokawa’s translator and friend is also a very important character. On page 15, Mr. Hosokawa describes him “His hair as heavy and long in the front and it brushed across the top rims of his small round glasses even as he tried to keep it parted to one side. He appeared to be quite young. It was the hair. The hair denoted to Mr. Hosokawa a lack of seriousness…” Mr. Hosokawa also includes that Gen was very tall for a Japanese man. Gen was first assigned to Mr. Hosokawa on a business meeting in Greece, but after getting to know him, and finding him more reliable than any previous translator, Mr. Hosokawa hired Gen to be his full time translator. Roxane Cross is another character, very central to the story. Roxane is a famous opera singer, adored by Mr. Hosokawa. Miss Cross is a very well known opera singer, who seems to be particularly focused, and is able to connect with her audience. After the party is taken over y the revolutionaries, the reader is able to see more f Roxane’s true self as opposed to her stage persona. Although she continues to be kind and gently, Miss Cross comes off to everyone around her as a diva, and attempts to use this to her advantage when dealing with her captors.
i feel that by giving away the main plot in the beginning my attention (as the reader) has been shifted, i realize that i wont be able to read this book like i would normaly read because even though it appears at first that theres now much less to predict (because i know what happens) i feel that i can see inside what leads up to the ordeal in the opera house as opposed to go along reading and guessing. Its a good feeling to know that i have the opportunity to slowly fill in the blanks as i read. As for the charactors Mr.Hosokawa seems to be the man everyone is looking upto and interested in yet he doesnt speak that often.He speaks more once he hires Gen to be his full time translator. Gen and Mr. Hosakawa ecome good friends.
Mr. Hosokawa is what i would like to say is the main character. His story takes up more than half of a chapter, and is highly significant throughout the first two chapters so far. He is a successful japanese businessman who enjoys opera. However he dislikes sharing his birthdays with a crowd. The only reason he showed up to the party that Vice President Ruben Iglesias is hosting, is because of a famous opera singer Roxanne Coss, who is the guest star of the night. Ruben Iglesias is throwing this party at his own estate, in hopes that Mr. Hosokawa would go in on a building contract. However Mr. Hosokawa has no intention of doing so, because he is strictly there to see the singer. The last character that caught my eye was Messner. Even though he was not a part of the original hold-up, he is what i call the peace keeper, and therefore has the most important job. He goes back and forth between the terrorists and the help force outside to negotiate terms and retrieve food as well as deport the women and children.
I believe that by giving away the fact that the terrorists are going to lose the battle, it forces the reader to pay more attention to not only the bonds and changes between people, but also the littler, more detailed events leading up to their demise. Instead of focusing on the end result, the reader has to pay close attention to what takes place before that concludes in such a result. That way, not only does the reader fully understand why this is the way it happened, but they will also have an internal debate on how things could have gone differently.
The first 40 pages, from what I understand I thought Mr. Hosokawa is a very powerful business man, he do not like travel and sharing a birthday with other people he doesn’t know, the reason he went to the party is because he loves opera music and she was famous, and the vice president was there also. But he is very clean and he likes quite place to do his job Gen Wantanab works for Mr. Hosokawa, because he speaks many different languages. And at this point he is a translator between the people who got hostage and the terrorists. The vice president is a short guy who planed the most part of the party. Who suppose to make him self look powerful. At this moment is is very scared, but he want the president give him the chance to handle the situation. Personally I believe by giving away the ending makes me don’t want to read the book. I feel like it’s getting slower and slower. Because I already know what happen the end, from a reader point of view.
By giving away the main plot and ending of the story within the chapter lets the reader focus on how the situation came to be instead of worrying the whole time about what’s going to happen. Not only that, but it is an effective way to grab the attention of the reader, leaving them to read the entire story whether they started willing or not. It lets the reader pay closer attention to the characters in the story, and the role they play. Even though characters are obviously an important part of any novel, readers aren’t always drawn to focus on that aspect and tend to give the plot and setting the center stage.
ReplyDeleteUp to page 40 Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful businessman and chairman of the largest electronic corporation in Japan, Nansei, has been introduced as one of the main characters. Mr. Hosokawa is a very professional man who is in his 50’s, or so I imagine. By his side stands his translator and otherwise secretary Gen Watanabe. Gen is described to have hair that is “heavy and long in the front” making him seem to have “a lack of seriousness”. But to Mr. Hosokawa’s good fortune, Gen gets things done better than any other translator he’s ever had in the past. Then there is Roxane Coss, the opera singer who’s music Mr. Hosokawa is so in love with. She is a fairly stunning woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, and Mr. Hosokawa feels as though some of her features are to large for her face. But she is mainly noticed for her voice. Her voice is described as one of the most beautiful things in the world. Anyone would be lucky to hear it. Ruben Iglesias is Vice President as well as host to Mr. Hosokawa's birthday party this year. In the novel, they mention the reason for Ruben's election as Vice President is because of the fact that he is shorter than President Masuda. They needed someone that could stand beside the president and make him look superior. Besides being the main host for this evening, Iglesias hasn't played a huge role so far, but I do believe that he is important.
As of now, Ruben is scared for his life, not worrying about jeopardizing his political career. He has just confessed the President's reasons for not being at the part to General Benjamin of the terrorists holding everyone hostage. Suffering from a case of shingles, General Benjamin is one of the leaders for this terrorist group. Him and his men are introduced as they barge in through windows and air vents, laced head-to-toe with guns, knives, and ammunition. The emotional characteristics for this character are hard to pinpoint since he is a leader of a terrorist organization, but I could guess that his emotions are not enjoyable ones. Everyone, including Gen Watanabe, Roxane Coss, and Mr. Hosokawa, all feel the same fear that this night may be their last. However, the guilt that Mr. Hosokawa feels separates his feelings from the rest. As they lay there on the floor of Ruben's house, he thinks to himself about how this is all his fault, how he didn't even want a big celebration like this, and how he wishes the President could be here to give the terrorists what they want.
In revealing the ending in the first chapter the author shifts the focus and allows the readers to see the story as a whole. There is more to the story than simply finding the ending and by revealing those details immediately the author pushes the story in a more whole direction. The story is no longer separated into units rather a complete unit.
ReplyDeleteIn the first few paragraphs the first character introduced is the accompanist. His love for Roxanne Cross the famous opera singer was apparently too much for him and he kissed her. This act of passion is followed with many gestures to prove his love such as lying on top of her when the terrorist first attack. The accompanist is not the most interesting character however his love for Roxane gives him a human connection.
Gen Watanabe is a calm young man who focuses on creating ease and fluency in his boss Katsumi Hosowaka a wealthy man and the head of Nansei the largest electronics corporation in Japan. Gen is probably my favorite character in the story so far his calm demeanor and awkwardly boyish looks make the important role he plays seem almost comical. Gen is critical in Mr Hosowaka's business life and in some ways his personal life. Gen keeps him organized he is the one link Hosowaka has to those around him especially in this situation.
Katsumi Hosowaka the reason for this party and in his view the entire crisis now at hand. Hosowaka is a man worth a great deal of money however his loves are humble. He enjoys the opera and the quiet peace of his study, the man is simple in his interests and he enjoys life as such. Hosowaka feels responsible for the attack and this make it difficult for him to think clearly at the moment.
The vice president is the final character worth mentioning he is a little man and he excepts this role. His anger towards the president is obvious from the insight the author gives as well as the development of his character. More than anything he brings forward a sense of pity with his battered and bloody head and longing to pretend none of this happen. The man is less of a political figure at this point and has become more of a mascot made to play the role of dignitary even though this is the one role he resents currently.
Although many characters are introduced the brief interactions and descriptions of each make the story seem less about the individual characters and more about the event itself.
When essentially beginning the book with the ending, the reader’s attention is instantly captured. In Bel Canto, we are introduced into an intense situation, leaving us to continue filling in the missing pieces. The reader is forced to focus on developing action and character descriptions to gather any information that might have to do with how one would arrive at the ending.
ReplyDeleteUp to page 40, we have definitely been introduced to some pretty interesting characters. The main character is Mr. Hosokawa, a powerful Japanese businessman. He is very neat and successful. From pg.22, Mr. Hosokawa is mistaken for President Masuda as, “a Japanese man in his fifties wearing glasses.” Beneath Mr. Hosokawa’s tough outer shell, he is a passionate man. He dislikes travel and sharing his birthday with strangers, but because of his passion for opera he was able to ignore his burdens to hear the angelic voice of Roxane Coss. Roxane Coss is the beautiful and lyric soprano, with a voice that makes everyone fall in love with her. Mentally, she believes above everyone else that she will survive the terrorist attack, because she’s a star! At this point, her fame defines her.
Next is Gen Wantanabe, Mr. Hosokawa’s translator. He knows many languages and serves are the communication between the terrorists and the hostages. At this point, I feel we don’t know much about what is happening with Gen mentally. I can only assume he feels disconnected from the others because he is only facilitating speech, not having a direct conversation with anyone.
General Benjamin and his “Band of Brothers” manage to seize a room filled with 222 people and take them hostage. To do so, and also have the plan of stealing the President, can only come from someone who is either incredibly intelligent or incredibly stupid. Physically, Benjamin’s face has been ravaged by shingles producing an appearance that is both intimidating and disgusting.
President Masuda never makes an appearance at the party for he refuses to miss his favorite soap opera. In his place is Vice President Ruben Iglesias. His is the owner of the house in which the terrorists hold their captives. Mentally Ruben, along with all of the hostages, is fearing for his life. But he also believes the presidency will be handed down to him, but manages to destroy any chance when exposing where the president truly was that night.
I feel that by giving away the ending in the story the reader is forced to focus on the who, what, where, when, and why’s of the book, and not so much on the outcome. Its an interesting way to write a book because people with less maturity might just put it down right then and there. Also the author’s writing needs to make sure it can stand up to keep people interested since now there is no suspense for the end. Now we just have to see if Ann Patchett delivers.
ReplyDeleteThe first character introduced is the accompanist and not much is known about his character because he is only in the story for a short time and plays a bigger part once he dies. Roxanne Coss didn’t even think of him as anything until he died. Never the less he is described as, “…a man in his thirties from Sweden or Norway with fine yellow hair and beautiful, tapering fingers.” The next character is Mr. Hosokawa and he is obsessed with Roxanne Coss’s voice. “Roxanne Coss, lyric soprano, was the only reason Mr. Hosokawa had come to this country.” Mr. Hosokawa is a Japanese man who runs the largest electronics company in Japan. Gen Watanabe is Mr. Hosokawa’s personal translator. He seems like he will be an important part because I can’t imagine the captors speaking Japanese. He is described as “This translator was tall for being Japanese. His hair was heavy and long in the front and it brushed across the top rims of his small round glasses even as he tried to keep it parted to one side. He appeared to be quite young. It was the hair.” He is also described as an extension of Mr. Hosokawa and being quiet, which Mr. Hosokawa really likes about him. Roxanne Coss is another important character who, as Ms. Lamarre put it, is quite the diva. She is used to be the center of attention and I really don’t think that is going to change a whole lot throughout the book. “ Even those who saw her for the first time, before she opened her mouth to sing, found her radiant, as if her talent could not be contained in her voice and so poured like light through her skin.” She obviously is good at what she does. Another important character is the vice president, Ruben Iglesias. He is the backbone of the president and often feels slighted by him. “He was a very small man, both in stature and girth, who had been chosen as a running mate as much for his size as for his political beliefs.” The vice president had to step in for the president so the president could stay home and watch his soap operas. The terrorists also are vital parts to the story and are distinguished not by their attitudes but by their physical features. “ They did not introduce themselves at the time and so, for a while, they were thought of not by their names but by their most distinctive features. Benjamin: raging shingles. Alfredo: mustache, first and second fingers missing on left hand. Hector: gold wire glasses that had lost one arm. With the Generals came fifteen soliders who ranged in age from twenty to fourteen.” Then at the end of the forty pages another character, Joachim Messner, is introduced. He is with the Red Cross and will most likely play a bigger role once I get further in the book. He is very blond and fair.
In the book, Bel Canto, the ending is given away in the first few pages of the novel. The book begins with a few detailed descriptions, but quickly reveals that the novel ends well, or doesn’t end badly at the very least. This takes some of the tension away from the plot, and puts more emphasis on the characters and how their relationships change and grow over the course of the book. Immediately, on page 9 of the novel, the author tells about how the guests would not remember the beauty of the party because of the events that followed, yet made clear that in the end, no one was permanently damaged. Knowing this, one can focus entirely on the characters and how they shape the plot, rather than how the plot will shape the characters.
ReplyDeleteMr. Hosokawa is an important businessman, who is the “founder and chairman of Nansei, the largest electronics corporation in Japan.” Mr. Hosokawa is a very powerful and influential man, and the government of the host country planned a birthday party for him in order to try to secure the building of electronics factories in the country. On page 3, it is made clear that Mr. Hosokawa is not interested in building any such factories and has only traveled to the country and agreed to come to his party because of the promise of a live opera performance by his favorite soprano. Mr. Hosokawa has very emotional and sentimental connections to opera, remembering seeing his first when he was a child. From the first 40 pages, it is made abundantly clear that Mr. Hosokawa is very devoted to opera an loves it very dearly.
The president of the host country, President Masuda, is also a very interesting character. He wants to contact and persuade Mr. Hosokawa, yet he neglects going to the party because he must watch his favorite soap opera. On page 10, the author writes “Among the President’s cabinet members and advisers it was an open secret that matters of state could not be held Monday through Friday for one hour beginning at two in the afternoon or Tuesday evening for one hour beginning at nine.” This conflicted with Mr. Hosokawa’s birthday celebration, and although President Masuda was persuaded to go to the party, he canceled, unable to give up his television.
Vice President Rubin Iglesias, a short man, chosen for not only his politics, but also his height, which was supposed to make the president look more powerful. Rubin Iglesias organized the dinner for the most part and held it in his own home, a gracious host to Mr. Hosokawa and the other company.
Gen Watanabe, Mr. Hosokawa’s translator and friend is also a very important character. On page 15, Mr. Hosokawa describes him “His hair as heavy and long in the front and it brushed across the top rims of his small round glasses even as he tried to keep it parted to one side. He appeared to be quite young. It was the hair. The hair denoted to Mr. Hosokawa a lack of seriousness…” Mr. Hosokawa also includes that Gen was very tall for a Japanese man. Gen was first assigned to Mr. Hosokawa on a business meeting in Greece, but after getting to know him, and finding him more reliable than any previous translator, Mr. Hosokawa hired Gen to be his full time translator.
Roxane Cross is another character, very central to the story. Roxane is a famous opera singer, adored by Mr. Hosokawa. Miss Cross is a very well known opera singer, who seems to be particularly focused, and is able to connect with her audience. After the party is taken over y the revolutionaries, the reader is able to see more f Roxane’s true self as opposed to her stage persona. Although she continues to be kind and gently, Miss Cross comes off to everyone around her as a diva, and attempts to use this to her advantage when dealing with her captors.
i feel that by giving away the main plot in the beginning my attention (as the reader) has been shifted, i realize that i wont be able to read this book like i would normaly read because even though it appears at first that theres now much less to predict (because i know what happens) i feel that i can see inside what leads up to the ordeal in the opera house as opposed to go along reading and guessing. Its a good feeling to know that i have the opportunity to slowly fill in the blanks as i read. As for the charactors Mr.Hosokawa seems to be the man everyone is looking upto and interested in yet he doesnt speak that often.He speaks more once he hires Gen to be his full time translator. Gen and Mr. Hosakawa ecome good friends.
ReplyDeleteMr. Hosokawa is what i would like to say is the main character. His story takes up more than half of a chapter, and is highly significant throughout the first two chapters so far. He is a successful japanese businessman who enjoys opera. However he dislikes sharing his birthdays with a crowd. The only reason he showed up to the party that Vice President Ruben Iglesias is hosting, is because of a famous opera singer Roxanne Coss, who is the guest star of the night. Ruben Iglesias is throwing this party at his own estate, in hopes that Mr. Hosokawa would go in on a building contract. However Mr. Hosokawa has no intention of doing so, because he is strictly there to see the singer. The last character that caught my eye was Messner. Even though he was not a part of the original hold-up, he is what i call the peace keeper, and therefore has the most important job. He goes back and forth between the terrorists and the help force outside to negotiate terms and retrieve food as well as deport the women and children.
ReplyDeleteI believe that by giving away the fact that the terrorists are going to lose the battle, it forces the reader to pay more attention to not only the bonds and changes between people, but also the littler, more detailed events leading up to their demise. Instead of focusing on the end result, the reader has to pay close attention to what takes place before that concludes in such a result. That way, not only does the reader fully understand why this is the way it happened, but they will also have an internal debate on how things could have gone differently.
The first 40 pages, from what I understand I thought Mr. Hosokawa is a very powerful business man, he do not like travel and sharing a birthday with other people he doesn’t know, the reason he went to the party is because he loves opera music and she was famous, and the vice president was there also. But he is very clean and he likes quite place to do his job
ReplyDeleteGen Wantanab works for Mr. Hosokawa, because he speaks many different languages. And at this point he is a translator between the people who got hostage and the terrorists.
The vice president is a short guy who planed the most part of the party. Who suppose to make him self look powerful. At this moment is is very scared, but he want the president give him the chance to handle the situation.
Personally I believe by giving away the ending makes me don’t want to read the book. I feel like it’s getting slower and slower. Because I already know what happen the end, from a reader point of view.