Ann Patchett

[mmack]

I just finished Bel Canto and it was wonderful. I loved all the characters and it was really well written and plotted. I was sad to finish it. Has anyone read her other novels or non-fiction? I'm trying to decide which of her books to read next.

Bel Canto is great I agree. I would say read State of Wonder next. Thought-provoking topic and interesting characterisation. Run is also very good but perhaps a bit less original in theme.

I was lucky enough to meet and talk to AP at Hay Festival. A really warm and engaging woman and she said she liked my raincoat

I loved The Patron Saint of Liars, preferred it to State of Wonder and possibly even to Bel Canto.

Watching with interest as I loved State of Wonder too and would like to know which others to read. I thought Bel Canto was great but found the ending a bit disappointing.

I have only read State of Wonder.
It was one of the best books which I read last year. I got completely absorbed in it. Started Bel Canto, but got interrupted by other things so need to start it all over again. Must say I wasn't finding it quite as compulsive a read as State of Wonder.

I enjoyed Bel Canto, although it's been a few years since I read it.

I've read Taft and Patron Saint of Liars as well, but I don't think I liked them as much.

I did read Truth and Beauty, which was her book about her friendship with Lucy Grearly, but afterwards I found out that Lucy's family were upset about the book and feel they were misled, so I wouldn't recommend it for those reasons.

I read The Magician's Assistant years ago and can't remember much about it so can't really recommend, but absolutely loved State of Wonder recently. Would thoroughly recommend it.

Bel Canto is on my to read list too.

I don't really remember anything about Bel Canto except that I loved it and that it made me cry. One of the upsides about having a rubbish memory is that I can remember in great detail the books that I read over and over as a child, but can't really remember much about books that I've read more recently.
Time to reread it I think.

Just looked on my bookshelf to see if I had any other books by Ann Patchett and found an unread copy of State of Wonder. After reading the recommendations on this thread I'll move it from the bookshelf to my bedroom so it can go on my next-to read piles.

I love The Magician's Assistant, it's full of wonderful moments / characters.

I've read The Magician's Assistant and Run and both were fine but didn't make the visceral impact that Bel Canto did. That book really stands out.

I LOVED the magician's assistant, have reread several times.