Stockholm Syndrome

I recently finished Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. I've been on a bit of an Ann Patchett run lately, I kind of just discovered her and I'm really enjoying her novels. Anyway, Bel Canto was fantastic. It tells the story of a famous Opera singer and a powerful Japanese businessman. Trying to entice the business man to do some of his company's business in their country, the leaders of a small tropical country in Latin America decide to throw a birthday party for him. They are able to get him to attend the party by promising a performance by his favorite opera singer. Although he really has no intention of doing business in the country he can't pass up the opportunity to see the singer in such a small venue.

The party ends abruptly when a small band of terrorists takes the party goers hostage. They had intended just to kidnap the President but at the last minute he had decided not to attend the party. So, the terrorists, at a loss, end up holding the party goers hostage for months. Over time, things become more lax. The terrorists don't seem so terrible any more. The hostages no longer seem like symbols of subjugation. The terrorists and hostages become friends. Inevitably, this situation ends poorly. The book, however, is a very interesting read. I highly recommend it.