Rating: 
Summary: Informative and emotive
Review: As an A Level English student, I have to read many books for my course, however, I have never been so moved by a novel as I have when reading Captain Corelli's Mandolin. It forces a large variety of emotion from it's reader. Moments of delightful comedy can be followed by deep tragedy; in the space of two chapters you will find yourself laughing out loud to crying with sympathy.The narrative of the novel is extremely interesting. There is not one overall use of narative. Instead each chapter moves from the view points of characters from all perspectives of the story. Louis De Bernieres puts particular emphasis on the 'little people' of history and we realise that it is in fact those 'little people' who are the true historical heroes. This form of narrative provides a completely unbiased record of the war. Situations in the novel are actually based on true life situations which makes the novel that bit more personal. De Bernieres also cleverly combines many different themes in the novel, the most important of which (in my opinion) is that of mythology. This creates the message that history contines throughout our own lives and also the moral message that we never learn from our past. It is difficult to define this novel into a certain genre as it combines so many. It is not only a war novel, it provides romance, comdy, tragedy and many more. If I could give one piece of advice to a reader, it would be to give this book a chance. Many people in my English class found that though the book had a very slow start, it was in fact the most beautiful book they had ever read and by the end of the novel, they understood why the beginning of the book had been quite difficult to grasp. Captain Corelli's Mandolin is an extremely refreshing, original novel that also provides some intensely tragic and sensitive moments. It's a must on everybody's book shelf!
Rating: 
Summary: Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Review: Captain Corelli's Mandolin is one of the best books that I've ever read. Bernieres created a wonderfully woven story of passion, history, politics which resulted in a clear sense of place and time. It made me laugh out loud in one chapter and shed tears in the next. The characters were well developed and more so in this book than in any other, I truly felt for them. However, I have to say that the ending was not of the same quality as the rest of the book. As I read it I felt as if he were trying to cram it in. This amounted to almost five decades being wedged in the last few chapters. All in all though, I would still highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Magical yet realistic
Review: This is a wonderful book; beautiful, realistic, magical, and unbelievably sad. In,for example, the book's gradual transition from the idyllic beauty of the island at first, to the bleakness and the hardship that follows, we can see the real effect of war on people's lives; how some things change and some last, and how neither occurrence is guaranteed. Along the way, we also get insights into not only the central characters' lives, but also of the other characters or even figures of power, as well as the historical background told in a striking, interesting manner. This book had me crying throughout the entire last day that I read it; however, while this to me shows that it must have been great to be so moving, I also do fall into the group of people who did not like the ending. Partly, I admit, it was because I found it too sad; too cruel, like a Hardyish twist of fate, that the child that gave meaning to Pelagia's life after Corelli's departure should have been the reason he stayed away. But partly, I also felt that de Bernieres' condensing of nearly half a century's story into the last quarter of the book was unnecessary, and the events somewhat implausible. Having created such a wonderful world of characters (sometimes when reading it, it seemed more real than ordinary life), it seemed a waste to leave it behind. However, the book itself is an incredible piece of writing, and one of the best books I have ever read. The rating I have given "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" could be counted as full marks for the main bulk of the book, and considerably less for the last quarter/fifth of the book.
Rating:
Summary: brilliant
Review: as 2 A-level students who were not at all interested about history or the second world war we were made to read this novel. It's the best novel we've ever read and laughed and cried throughout it. We either loved or hated each of the charecters and were drawn into their lives. We realised the sadness of living in war times. However we felt the brutal beating of the pine martin Psipsina was unnecessary. We also found it disrespectful when a stray cat was given the same name.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond Excellent
Review: I work in an office of Ph.D.'s, I am buying it for everyone for Christmas. The most excellent piece of nonfiction literature in years.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent read, pure entertainment with a hint of sadness
Review: I found this book to be refreshingly different, but immediately entertaining. It carries its momentum from beginning to end. The reader feels that they are there with each character and place, so vivid are the descriptions. What can be very entertaining parts to the book can quickly turn to savage and often brutal events, so I would imagine is war! This book deserves all the praise it receives, it could not disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book!
Review: As a 15 year old, I was a little reluctant to read this book and was afraid I would have difficulty understanding it, but it is worth all the struggle! This is definitly my favorite book I have ever read and I will certainly read more of Louis's novels. I laughed and cried throughout the whole story and found myself slowing down at the end to savor the book. I loved the ending and although it WAS a bit contrived, I still found it suitable. I would recommend this book to anyone!
Rating:
Summary: Rich prose with a historic mediterranean backdrop
Review: Romance, history and beautiful language this novel has it all. The characters are well developed snd grow with the story. Tragedy and pathos are interwoven in a rich bold tale which updates the Romeo and Juliet theme. None the less, even though the first chapter is linguistically challenging, through gentle perserverance a glorious story evolves. A must buy.
Rating:
Summary: I Loved It!!!!!
Review: This was the best book that I have ever read. After having read it, I couldn't stop thinking about the characters lost and all those years of seperation between 'Barbara C'relli' and his 'kotitsi'. Pelagias life really made me come face to face with reality and sometimes I wondered 'why couldn't things just stay the way they were?' Unlike Louis de Bernieres, I really can't find the right words to express my feelings about this book; sometimes I think back to it and cry whilst other times I remember the more humourus stages such as Stamatis and Kokolios, psipsina, Iannis and the priest (but then I come to remembering that they were all lost lives and I get depressed again). A beautifull story! I'm going to read it over and over again but this time, I'll leave out the last few pages and try to pretend that those events didn't occur.
Rating:
Summary: engrossing and emotionally charged
Review: It was my girlfriend who suggested that I read this book. Having just written my final year dissertation on experience during WW2, I was reluctant to be rerminded of my studies in my summer holidays! However, I have never read a book that has brought me to tears before....the lost love, the grief at departure from a loved one....blissfully romantic, and enthralling....How has someone called this the "worst book I have ever read?" If you know how it feels to be in love with someone you have to leave, or you just know how it feels to be in love....read this book, for I defy anyone with an ounce of emotion not to be moved to the point of tears every night before bedtime!@@
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