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Summary: Corelli
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read; it's brutally honest, emotionally heartwarming, intelligent, and not in the slightest pretentious. I haven't and don't intend to see the Hollywood movie, just because the most beautiful part of this book is simply the way it's written, and that is not something that can be captured on screen. Besides learning numerous new vocabulary words (very helpful as I was studying for the GREs at the time I was reading it!), de Bernieres' writing style swept me right off my feet and kept me enthralled the entire time. I've noticed that other reviewers have commented on its difficult beginning, which I agree with, and it's important to note that in "warning" to keep a grip on this book - because once you get past Mussolini's speech, you're the better for it; and stronger, you'll continue on with a wonderful literary experience.
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Summary: Great love story with some humorous history
Review: Basically, this book is a great love story with some fascinating characters intertwined in it. The historical setting is mostly background music to the romance, but it has its merits. I think the Mussolini self-monologues were hilarious as were the extreme German/Italian stereotypes. A note to the male orientation: my husband put the book down after the first few pages and although my father did finish it, it took him nearly six months (mind you, he's not a big reader anyway, but still: six months!!!) In short, this may be a chick book.
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Summary: Simply beautiful
Review: Great book. Loved the use of the different narratives, and the beautiful turn of phrase that this author has. Also really enjoyed his humour when at times the subject matter was bleak and despairing. Am unsure what to make of the ultimate ending - think I wanted the 'Hollywood version' when perhaps 'real life' doesnt always go according to the script! I thought that maybe the good Capt was a trifle out of character for not following through properly in 1946, however as already stated, not everybody gets the fairy tale do they? The heart of this novel is the relationship against all sensibilities between Corelli and Pelagia in wartime. It is pure in an impure time and whatever happens in ensuing generations is surely shaped by this and the whole point of Louis putting pen to paper.
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Summary: Compelling
Review: "Corelli's Mandolin" is a wonderfully romantic story set against the terrors of WWII. The story is set on Cephalonia, a rather remote Greek island, during WWII. The beginning of the book focuses on the story of Carlo, an Italian foot soldier battling in the Greek mountains in the winter, in scenes of destruction and personal suffering more reminiscient of books I've read on WWI rather than WWII. Most of the war seems remote to the inhabitants of the island, in large part due to the benevolent Italian occupation force under Captain Corelli. Sadly, it is at the end of the war, when the Italians' German "allies" turn on them, and then when the Greeks turn on their own during the civil war, that the horrors begin. I loved this book--I thought the characters were beautifully drawn, especially Carlo and the Doctor, and the historical background was fascinating. Like several other reviewers, I thought the ending was "tacked on", and rather jarring, and the resolution of the love affair between Pelagia and Corelli quite unbelievable. But this wasn't enough of a drawback to withold 5 stars from this one. Highly recommended.
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Summary: It seems redundant to write anything about this book, but...
Review: It seems redundant to write anything about this book, with the multitudinous reviews it's already received -- enough, probably, to offer every imaginable perspective -- but, having just finished it, I can't help myself.For whomever is perusing these reviews, I hereby exhort you to ignore most of the negative comments about this book, because they're generally unqualifiedly wrong. At least the ones I've read. I'm not saying that the book is perfect, because it isn't -- maybe it's just me, but the more historical portions of the book, those throughout which De Bernieres delineated the sides, who is enemies with whom, that sort of thing, I was slowed down a little, forced to pay really close attention to prevent confusion (I feel bad even saying that, because it wasn't at all detrimental to the book's overall effect) -- but I disagree whole-heartedly with anyone who says the characters are flat or the plot meanders aimlessly. Rather, this was one of those books from which the reader must extract himself, and after which finds himself disappointed that the people he just got to know are fabrications. It's really good. Günter
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Summary: peaks & troughs
Review: This book swings from moments of very satisfying story-telling & lovely prose to dry, superflous, long-winded tangents. The author seems to have lost interested in the book toward the end & allows it to dwindle away to a passionless, frustrating whisper in contrast to the color of preceeding pages. It is still an entertaining & instructive book & worth reading.
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Summary: War and Peace in Cephalonia
Review: Louis DeBernieres' novel is set on the quiet Greek Island of Cephalonia. The novel begins just before the onset of WWII and ends in the present day (1993 actually). The island and its people are described in loving detail. The author breathes life into characters of Dr. Iannis, Pelagia, and Carlo such that the reader thinks of them as real people. Other characters are not as well defined and some are completely unbelievable. Captain Corelli himself seems too good to be true during wartime but his later behavior is inexplicable and inconsistent with what the reader expects from him. Many other reviewers have commented that the last few chapters, which deal with a forty-year period after the war, seem hollow and false compared to the richly detailed wartime chapters. I think the novel would have been more satisfying if it had simply ended with Corelli's departure from the island or with his return immediately after the war. I usually don't like florid language as used in this novel. As a rule I think good writing should be concise, clear and to the point. DeBernieres strays from this rule frequently but it usually comes across as appropriate or at least acceptable. The story of the Italian - German fighting on Cephalonia was previously told in The White Flag (BANDIERA BIANCA A CEFALONIA) an Italian novel published in 1963. DeBernieres acknowledges this book as a source for his. He has stated in interviews that the plot device of the mandolin was added because he plays that instrument.
There has been criticism of DeBernieres harsh depiction of Greek communists. A revised edition omitting these scenes of violence and treachery was written to placate these critics. This was a mistake, if the communists don't like the way they are portrayed they need not read the book. I did not read this book but instead listened to the 18 hour unabridged audio cassette version narrated by Stephen Lang. Lang's narration is superb, he does not merely read but acts out the book and gives each character a different voice and personality. Listening to this made three weeks of commuting a very pleasant experience. I came to this novel without having seen the movie version. That movie was in and out of theaters so fast that I missed it. I rate the novel only 4 out 5 stars only because of the poorly conceived conclusion and will here present my own abbreviated final chapter: Pelagia looks up from the kitchen table where she is preparing escargot a la Bourguignonne.
She is astonished to see Antonio in the doorway looking handsome and dashing as ever. It has been three years since he escaped the island. She was sure there was no way he could have survived the open boat ride to Sicily over hundreds miles of open sea. Antonio has not only survived but has completely recovered from his grievous wounds. He sweeps Pelagia into his arms and smothers her in kisses. He stoops down with Pelagia in his arms so that she can grab Antonia (his mandolin) from where it is propped up in the corner of the kitchen. Antonio carries her into the sunset to live happily ever after as the snails slowly climb out of their bowl.
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Summary: Louis De Bernieres is brilliant
Review: This may be the best book I've ever read. I laughed out loud and cried. So clever and well written. This book has made me want to read again.
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Summary: Smooth...a Little TOO Smooth
Review: GREAT book. Besides having to phone-a-friend to help translate some German, the use of several languages was a unique and made the reading of the text more interesting and striking. Sure, sometimes my ignorance of Greek or Italian meant I didn't know the LITERAL meaning of the word, but the context was almost always sufficient to be able to understand the connotation of the language, which is enough for me. The only problem was that the text ran smoothly, so smoothly that climaxes and tension were completely lost at times. I cried at one point of the book, but I had no inkling that a key moment was coming up before the tears started aflowin'. It just happened. There is a lot of "filler" -- information about WWII (including very technical terminology) that has no direct bearing on the characters -- that it becomes difficult to discern what is important in the literary sense and what is not. It's all interesting, it's just hard to note what supposed to make your blood boil for poor Pelagia and Iannis and what isn't.
The plot is excellent, the characters fascinating and well-developed, the imagery beautiful and graphic. The story covers part of WWII that as a young adult, I had no idea about (having not lived through it), and I'm very glad that now I have some exposure. Despite having been written about events taking place over 50 years ago, I could relate to the characters and the events to the point that I was throwing the book across the room at the end in frustration ("Isn't it sooooo like him!"). This book was believable while maintaining a sense of fantasy, hilarious and touching at the same time. This is not a heavy book, partially due to the more tragic points not being so emphasized, as I explained above, as well as said tragic points being pretty few and far between. I'd consider reading it again, but my mother stole it....
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Summary: Real life Expressed Before, During, and After the War.
Review: I read this book for my local book of the month group, and wouldn't have read it otherwise unless they chose it. The book was superb. The character development and emotions expressed by the characters was very well written by the author. I have never read a book about WWII that made me feel like I was there living it, but this book reveals to the reader the love, sacrifices, hardships, and perserverance that people can have. The author unfolds the story so the reader savors each element of the twists and turns the storyline reveals.
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