Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

The story of Bel Canto was inspired by the 1996 Japanese Embassy hostage crisis in Peru. That hostage crisis, just like the one in the novel, lasted for several months. In real life, just like in the novel, revolutionary rebels took as hostage high-level diplomats and business executives. The main difference between the two hostage crises: In the novel, one of the hostages is the world's greatest opera singer.

Bel Canto is romantic, haunting, and filled with magical realism. It makes you fall in love with each and every character--every politician, diplomat, priest, idealistic young rebel soldier and general. It makes you understand why the hostages and rebels all wish they never have to leave the mansion where they are all locked up. Then it breaks your heart.

Read the book, then watch the film. Both are inspiring and beautiful.