In this novel by Ann Patchett, we are at first drawn into an elaborate birthday party in an unnamed South American country for a high-profile Japanese business man, Mr. Hosokawa. The party was thrown as an attempt to woo Mr. Hosokawa into opening a factory in their country, but Mr. Hosokawa's only interest in attending was because they hired the talented opera singer Roxanne Cross to sing for him. The party was going well, they had American Bourbon and were served great foods like "shite asparagus in hollandaise, a fish course of turbot with crispy sweet onions, tiny chops, only three or four bites apiece, in a cranberry demiglaze." That is until terrorist snuck in a took everyone hostage.
The terrorists sought the nation's president, who was not in attendance. So instead, they decided they must hold everyone else until they figured out what to do. After a while and some meetings with a negotiater, the terrorists release the women, with the exception of Roxanne Cross, and a few men. The rest that were deemed important enough to stay, were kept in the house. While the timeline is unclear, we know they are held hostage for several months. During these months, it is Roxanne's singing that soothes them. Friendships and in some cases, love develop within the house. However, they all know that eventually it will end.
I will not spoil the ending for you because I think the story is a good one and you should read it. But if you pick this book for a book club, please make sure everyone finishes it before you meet. I do not think the story can really be broken down and discussed until it is all revealed. And if you do choose this book for a book club choice, I think it would be fun to serve food as if you were also confined to the house they are all in. After a while in the house, the terrorists/hostages have to learn to cook for themselves. The prepared food stops coming and instead they receive boxes of raw meat. While you could form your menu around that idea (they also talk about cooking rabbit, which I have never done) or choose the path from the beginning of the story of an elaborate dinner party, I think it would easiest to stick with the prepared hostage food.
Part of the reason I like the idea of sticking with the prepared hostage food menu is because I think the first time the hostages receive the food is an important part of the story. The interpreter for Mr. Hosokawa learns that it will soon be his role to interpreter for everyone and no longer just his employer. And considering his story arc, I believe this is an important realization. Also, sticking with hostage food would allow you to prepare the food in advance and would mainly be assembling prior to the meeting.
In the novel they talk about sandwiches and wrapped slices of cake. This is a very easy task for a book club. You can make full sandwiches and then cut them into triangles for bite sized sandwiches. Some suggestions are:
Grilled Cheese - Shake it up by swapping out American cheese for your favorite. You can then add a veggie, fruit, or meat to this. Our lovely host Madeline made us Gruyere and green apple grilled cheeses and they were absolutely delicious, and it was the first time I had it.
Hummus & Veggies - I think this works best as a wrap. Spread the hummus over the wrap and then add vegetable spears, think carrots, peppers, cucumbers, etc. This also would be great with cream cheese instead of hummus, however, that would also be less healthy. Simply wrap it up, slice and serve.
Tuna Salad - Not just the boring tuna and mayo combo. Add something to it! Depending on what I have in my fridge, I've added carrots, onion, celery, pickles and olives (all chopped up) to my tuna salad. I would put it on wheat bread with some baby spinach.
Cold cuts - This one simply choose your favorite at your local deli counter. My favorite is Boars Head buffalo chicken with pepperjack cheese, topped with honey mustard.
For the wrapped cake, it may be more time consuming to bake a full cake, slice it and then wrap each piece individually. But if you're up for, you can do that. Simply choose your favorite cake and go to town. My other suggestions would be:
Cupcakes - Don't fill the wrappers as much as normally would, so the frosting doesn't build up too high. You can wrap them up if you'd like, but technically, they are in wrappers ;-)
Cookies - Bake (or buy) your favorite cookies. Then portion out little goodie bags for all the members.
Fruit Salad - Make a fruit salad and divide it into small servings. You can wrap each of those servings and serve with a plastic fork.
For drinks, I would keep it simple. For non-alcoholic beverages, canned sodas and bottled waters would fit the theme perfectly. For the adult drinks, you can serve cans of beer and boxed wine, with paper cups. If you don't want to go with the boxed wine, I would choose a Chilean or Argentinean wine since the novel takes place in South America, although after a few glasses, your guests may not care as much...
This book is a quick, good read and makes for a great book club pick. To make even better, pair it up with a themed menu and good drinks. Enjoy!
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