Corelli's Mandolin

Rating:
Summary: A pretty good book
Review: I enjoyed most of the book and would recommend it. The images it created of Greece, of the countryside and the people were quite nice. I found, however, that the first 3/4 of the book built up to a climax and resolution that breezed by too quickly and was a bit predictable. Did the author run out of time? (I read the British edition, 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin'. Did they change the name of the book for the U.S. market?)

Rating:
Summary: Corelli makes the world a better place in which to live.
Review: There are, perhaps, flaws in de Berniere's novel that leave it short of classic literature and the last 50 pages are simply a mistake. But this is a stunning book. When we meet the Captain, the world becomes a better place in which to live. Should you fall in love with Cephalonia, plan ahead. Since the book has become popular, rooms on the Greek island are hard to find.

Rating:
Summary: Corelli's Mandolin-one of the best books I've read in years.
Review: Corelli's Mandolin was one of the best novels I've read in years. The first (50) pages were a bit of an effort to plow through, but after that the story was captivating, intense, informative and fantastic... I was so sorry to leave the characters when the story ended, and hope for a sequel soon.

Rating:
Summary: Loved It!
Review: It takes a couple of chapters for the book to warm up, but once it does you'll never want to put it down. This book is for everyone, from romance book readers to serious intellectuals. It's funny, moving, poignant and I loved it!

Rating:
Summary: Island of Cephalonia during WWII comes alive
Review: I can't remember the last time I read a book that I enjoyed so much. I didn't want it to end. I recommend it highly. I am in love with Corelli and with the island of Cephalonia. Dr. Iannis, Pelagia, Lemoni, mandras ... all the characters are wonderfully drawned for us by the author and make the historical fiction come alive right off the page. Five enthusiastic stars.

Rating:
Summary: superb!
Review: second world war era books are my favorites, corelli's mandolin is even better than 'the reader', 'thin red line', the triumph and glory', and, well, almost as good as 'memoirs of a geisha' a truly beautiful work of fiction, i luved it!

Rating:
Summary: A Truly Beautiful Tragic Tale
Review: I resisted this book for a while as one does when it is all the rage, with all the hype I must surely be dissappointed...right? I couldn't be more wrong, from the very first pus-encrusted pea incident I was mesmerised by de Bernierers vivid characters. This man's imagination knows no bounds and the humour he injects is so charming I could hardly read a page without laughing aloud. Which is why when he turns to the darker side of humanity it is even more compelling, I have never been so moved by a piece of fiction nor had one leave so indelible impression on me so that I would actually be sobbing long after I put the book down. Pelagia's lament is a beautiful piece of poetry I will never forget "..all my joys have been pulled out of my mouth like teeth" What makes it all the more tragic, however is that although these are characters from a man's imagination, such people historically existed, from the tormented Carlo to the indoctrinated Mandras to the hapless Gunter, that's what struck me the most. As a 25yr old liberal in a western country you are often taught history from a sweeping perspective, this book illustrated the suffering on an individual level and when you think that every one of those millions of casualties had a similar story you really see the enormity of war. Also on a less intense note the flirting scenes were charming, i am a romantic at heart.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read, vivid descriptions and a compelling plot.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author's vivid descriptions of life on a Greek Island in the 1940s made me feel I was there. It's one of those books which starts with a series of apparently disconnected tales which are woven together as the plot unfolds. It's very well written and uses a broad vocabulary. The work includes tantalising snippets of Greek, French and Italian within the English text.

Rating:
Summary: Magical and suprising...
Review: A very moving and often funny story. This is for the student who can appreciate a large vocabulary and some new words to boot. A suprise to the "typical" WWII drama. An interesting and enthralling read.

Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING
Review: I originally was given the novel for obvious reasons, given my last name, and thought it was quite a novelty. When I read this book I was floored by the excellence of this work of literature. The vocabulary, historical backdrop, character development, and panoramic scope of life which he incorporates into the story are astounding. I will re-read this book many times over the years to come.....