Rating: 
Summary: Awesome Book!!!!
Review: My grandfather brought this book for me from England, saying that he had heard great reviews about it. Though a little aprehensive at first, because I know how his book selection can be, I found myself in love with this book. I couldn't put it down and would stay up late into the night hoping that Corelli would return to Pelagia. I am 15 and have given Captain Corelli's Mandolin to my English teacher to read because it is a truly inspiring and great book. It shows the the torture of lost loves, and beauty when the two lost loves are finally reunited. I fell in love with this book, and now I wish I hadn't read it so fast, but instead, savored every last word of it. The vocabulary used is tantalizing, making this book a masterpiece. He joins things together, never once mentioning something that didn't have some sort of importance later on down the road. Everybody should read this book........I have a long line waiting after my English teacher!!
Rating: 
Summary: "South Pacific", Greek-style
Review: Set in World War Two on the Greek island of Cephallonia, "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" tells of the love between Captain Antonio Corelli who is with the Italian occupying force and Pelagia, daughter of a local doctor. It roams wider than that, telling of the Italian and Greek involvement in World War Two.I was suprised that this novel has received such acclaim on the one hand and so much derision on the other. I thought it was just very average, disposable pulp fiction. No doubt more knowledgeable souls than I will spot historical errors - but the thought crossed my mind that it is not a serious historial work, merely a piece of fiction, so is it vital that every detail should be correct? The main howler though is the author's confusion over whether or not Greeks use the Cryllic alphabet - I thought the Greek alphabet was separate and distinct from the Cryllic. The chief difficulty I had with this novel was that De Bernieres never seemed to settle on what he wanted it to be - historical novel, romantic comedy, or tragic novel? It ends up being all of them and none of them at the same time. De Bernieres shifts from one to the other, but his writing is not strong enough to be convincing as he does it. What one is left with is a sort of "South Pacific" set in the Mediterranean, replete with national stereotypes (for example, the English agent just had to be an ex-public schoolboy addicted to saying "what ho" etc). Not, I think, a work destined for greatness other than on the beach. G Rodgers
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: Smashing stuff :)
Review: This novel is one of the best books that I have ever read. In my short 16 year-old life, I have not yet read any book even remotely comparable to the emotions and afterthoughts I have experienced throughout my reading of this novel. It is not only a semi-historical novel, it is a demonstration of the humour, tragedy, human fallacies and qualities in a time of conflict. The happenings de Bernieres describes are vivid, breathtakingly colourful...sometimes I wish that I myself could experience the lives of Pellagia or Corelli, just to feel what they felt at times of intense happiness, sadness or love. Although the beginning may be unattractively slow, or long-winded, don't be put off, because you'll definitely be missing out on the wealth of literary ecstacy later on....the ending, I'll just say that you shouldn't expect anything; but ultimately, it is more realistic than any other corny movie ending where "everyone lives happily ever after". Anyway, I believe that ANYONE should read this book. Life would less exciting without it. :)
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant mix of humour, pathos, history, love, and hate
Review: You can read other reviews here and they all complain about the ending. Well, the ending doesn't live up to the rest of the book, it's true. But don't let that put you off. The book as a whole must surely be one of the most remarkable, insightful, beautiful and profound books ever written. Set primarly in a tiny Greek village on the island of Cephallonia, and told through the eyes of maybe half a dozen characters, this remarkable tale explores the effects of war on simple people as they struggle to preserve their lives and their loves, and to understand the meaning of happiness, life and death. Dr. Iannis is wise; his daughter Pelagia is strong; her fiance handsome but weak; her soulmate charming and well-meaning (though the ending suggests perhaps not worthy of her); the village priest a drunken buffoon,...and there are others. The notes on the back of the book quote the Observer's review: "...an emotional, funny, stunning novel which swings with wide smoothness between joy and bleakness, personal lives and history...it's lyrical and angry, satirical and earnest". I guess that really says it all. One last note, though: Here in New Zealand on the annual bookstore's reader's poll, this novel made the top 10 in 1998.
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