This book was so quietly beautiful and lyrical, everything that I have come to expect from a Patchett novel. Telling the story of a birthday party taken hostage by a group of militant rebels looking to overthrow the government, the focus of the story is on the people themselves and the relationships that they form while in captivity. A famous opera singer, Roxane Cross, brings the characters together, from bringing many of them to the party initially to using her music and her spirit to keep others together. The theme of opera is woven through the book, touching many of the characters in different ways. Even not knowing much about opera, I found this to be a very interesting way to tie the book together.