04.25.09 (bel canto)

i didn't actually hear the music nor the beautiful singing... i just knew it must've been something like the sound i hear when i feel the sunrise touch my face in the morning, or when i get soaked in the rain in the middle of summer...

"When the lights went off the accompanist kissed her. Maybe he had been turning towards her just before it was completely dark, maybe he was lifting his hands. There must have been some movement, a gesture, because every person in the living room would later remember a kiss. They did not see a kiss, that would have been impossible. The darkness that came on them was startling and complete. Not only was everyone there certain of a kiss, they claimed they could identify the type of kiss: it was strong and passionate, and it took her by surprise. They were all looking right at her when the lights went out. They were still applauding, each on his or her feet, still in the fullest throes of hands slapping together, elbows up. Not one person had come anywhere close to tiring. The Italians and the French were yelling, "Brava! Brava!" and the Japanese turned away from them. Would he have kissed her like that had the room been lit? Was his mind so full of her that in the very instant of darkness he reached for her, did he think so quickly? Or was it that they wanted her too, all of the men and women in the room, and so they imagined it collectively. They were so taken by the beauty of her voice that they wanted to cover her mouth with their mouth, drink in. Maybe music could be transferred, devoured, owned. What would it mean to kiss the lips that had held such a sound?"

i am halfway through ann patchett's "bel canto" and all i can say is that this is how it must be like listening to an opera. the book talks about a hostage situation, but my heart would not thump the way it is supposed to when reading suspense. no, this book is not about suspense. the most famous soprano kidnapped, a vice-president hit on the face, a french ambassador making an unauthorized call to his wife, a soldier's faith crumbling... no suspense there but music. i cannot believe how the author can narrate her story like chopin would touch the keys of a piano. i read the words like i'm making love.

i thought love affairs never last that long. i rediscovered the one i had with books... my passion has been rekindled.