Corelli's Mandolin

Simply put: one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.A post-modern materpiece. Set on the Greek Island of Cephellonia this novel documents the arrival of WW2 and its effect on the quiet island community.This novel is breathtaking, it raises the reader to astonishing highs of pure delight (usually through the character of Lemoni) and in the space of a sentance can plumme the reader into...more

Simply put: one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.A post-modern materpiece. Set on the Greek Island of Cephellonia this novel documents the arrival of WW2 and its effect on the quiet island community.This novel is breathtaking, it raises the reader to astonishing highs of pure delight (usually through the character of Lemoni) and in the space of a sentance can plumme the reader into absolute despair. The plight of Carlo brings tears to my eyes every time.This novel is beautifully simple and wonderfully told. The constant time and space shifts make it a thoroughly engaging read.I have yet to find a book that can match this masterpiece of Louis de Bernieres.   hide

I believe De Bernieres is a future Nobel laureate. I liked all of the characters in this book. The author seamlessly changed voice from chapter to chapter. The book lagged a bit in the end as he told the island's story from WWII to the present, but it was a wonderful book.

I still remember how wonderful this book was---I think it's been about 8 years since I read it. It's definitely a war-time novel and doesn't shirk that heaviness for romanticism. Even in the most beautiful scenes/moments, De Bernieres is good at keeping the sentimentality at bay. It was a little slow to start, but is magnificent the rest of the way. Reminded me a lot of Mark Helprin (though not...more

I still remember how wonderful this book was---I think it's been about 8 years since I read it. It's definitely a war-time novel and doesn't shirk that heaviness for romanticism. Even in the most beautiful scenes/moments, De Bernieres is good at keeping the sentimentality at bay. It was a little slow to start, but is magnificent the rest of the way. Reminded me a lot of Mark Helprin (though not as long winded).   hide

I was disappointed with the ending. Beautifully written and funny before the end. It started out wonderful but the ending left something to be desired.

With beastly determination, I have conquered "Corelli's Mandolin" at long last. Or, has it conquered me? Great book but very, very maddening to negotiate its thick, voluminous pages and scores of erudite passages. And yet, I laughed, cried, bemoaned, outright bitched, and then finally capitulated into having a damned good time after all was said and done. Yeah, it was like that!

One of the most beautifully written descriptions of love is in this novel.

I saw the movie again recently. ouch Hollywood. OUCH. I'm re-reading this book for the second time with relish. The balance between HUMOR and dead seriousness is what MADE the book...But i HATED the movie adaption. Every hilarious moment was sacrificed by Hollywood to add more somber dialog. Such a multi-dimensional, character driven, CLEVER book was made so bland. How did they manage to make...more

I saw the movie again recently. ouch Hollywood. OUCH. I'm re-reading this book for the second time with relish. The balance between HUMOR and dead seriousness is what MADE the book...But i HATED the movie adaption. Every hilarious moment was sacrificed by Hollywood to add more somber dialog. Such a multi-dimensional, character driven, CLEVER book was made so bland. How did they manage to make such interesting characters seem so dull? They must have tried VERY hard...or not at all. The book is great.   hide

That this gorgeous book was made into a movie starring..of all people..Nicholas Cage..is a travesty. The casting agent should be lined up against a wall and shot. The character that Cage plays in the movie is so detailed, so human, so complex, that it stayed with me for a long time after I closed the book. Bernieres is simply a master. This is a good example of a movie doing terrible justice...more

That this gorgeous book was made into a movie starring..of all people..Nicholas Cage..is a travesty. The casting agent should be lined up against a wall and shot. The character that Cage plays in the movie is so detailed, so human, so complex, that it stayed with me for a long time after I closed the book. Bernieres is simply a master. This is a good example of a movie doing terrible justice to an incredibly written story...   hide

Great book, but I didnt like the end at all.