Ann Patchett burst on the scene with Bel Canto twenty three years ago. Bel Canto was not her first novel, but many still consider it to be her best (although she disagrees). This week she releases an Annotated Edition of Bel Canto and in it she rereads and notes her triumphs and mistakes on every page. Seriously. A great novel, a great writer making insightful comments on her own writing (in her own handwriting)…if you love reading, writing or Ann Patchett, this is a HUGE treat. In this episode, the first installment of our conversation with Ann, we talk to her about the inspirations behind Bel Canto, and so much of what she thinks she could do better if she wrote it today. Listen and nerd out with us on the writing experience.

Books mentioned in this week’s podcast: 

Bel Canto: The Annotated Edition by Ann Patchett

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett

The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

Run by Ann Patchett

This is the Story of a Marriage by Ann Patchett

Truth & Beauty by Ann Patchett

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Taft by Ann Patchett

Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand

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