The book has a more complex plot than the movie. I particularly appreciated the chapters about Carlo--it made me understand the loneliness some of my gay friends face. Mandras has no redeeming moments in the book as he does in the movie. ( )

The most egregious piece of rubbish I have ever read. Why do people like this? ( )

This book was charming, quirky and a pleasure to read. But why such an anticlimatic ending? We read to escape and I don't understand why the author would purposefuly end the novel in a grimmy and realistic way. It seemed to contradict the tone from the beginning, perhaps it was meant to? Nonetheless, I really enjoyed parts of this book and came to love all the characters. ( )

I really loved this. I agree with others who said it is hard to get into; perhaps the first ~100 pages seem disjointed and odd with multiple points of view and short, choppy chapters. But, the pay off for continuing is great. The story is set in the Greek islands during World War II, mostly revolving around Dr. Iannis and his daughter, Pelagia, as they deal with the consequences of the Axis occupation of their island, Cephallonia. She falls in love with a charismatic mandolin-playing Italian officer, Captain Corelli.

The writing style is reminiscent of Gabriel Garcia Marquez in that it is whimsical, romantic, sweeping - yet this is not (thank God) magical realism. Everything has rational explanations, yet the characters are quirky and events somehow seem fantastical despite being based on real history. So many little things stand out to me now, reflecting on how much I enjoyed the novel: the tame pine marten, the snails, the hellacious retreat of Carlo and Francisco through the Greek winter, the exploding of the WW1 bomb, the British spy 'Bunny' and his ancient Greek.

It is a magical, poignant, horrifying ride and as the book winds down and the reader realizes what will happen to Corelli and his soldiers - it is truly sad. I was especially moved by the chapter 'Pelagia's lament' -- haunting, I read portions of it several times through. Anyway, I really loved it and would definately consider re-reading it again in the future which is rare for me. This novel has potential to be considered an all time desert (or perhaps Greek) island pick, I think. It is enchanting. ( )

I loved this book! The author's language and discriptions were priceless. In part the book is an acurate account of part of WWII and extremely heart-wrenching and yet some parts so funny you will laugh out loud! ( )

I loved everything about this book. I loved the characters, good and bad, the idyllic setting, the classic themes surrounding love: unrequited love, forbidden love, the contrast of love and war, and in some cases the similarities, and patriotism, etc.
The only thing that made me not give it that extra half star was that it was set during WW2, because frankly, I'm sick of reading about it. I don't know if I'm going to be chastised for saying this, but even though the whole war is central to the story, I just think it's a cheat to use that period of time as a setting! ( )

http://thebookwormslibrary.com/?p=311... ( )

Unusually I cannot yet reconcile my differing thoughts about this book. I very nearly put it down during the first 50 pages for lack of interest and the ending I felt was a poor damp squib.

However, in amongst these extremes I also found beauty, The descriptions of the ludicrousness of the Italian campaign, the repressed life of Carlo, and the characterisation of the two leads during Captain Corelis' stay at the farmhouse I found warming.

Saying all that I found myself speed reading the last few chapters, so lean towards an average rating through indecision, perhaps a future re-reading will alter my perception. ( )

Quite good. ( )

This is just a wonderful read-- sweeping historical setting, great characters, and gut wrenching love story. It's a can't-put-it-down tear jerker. However, it's not chick lit-- my husband gave me this to read because he liked it so much. I really wanted a movie to be made, until I heard who they chose as the leads-- give me a break! ( )

Amazon.com Review
In the early days of the Second World War, before Benito Mussolini invaded Greece, Dr. Iannis practices medicine on the island of Cephalonia, accompanied by his daughter, Pelagia, to whom he imparts much of his healing art. Even when the Italians do invade, life isn't so bad--at first anyway. The officer in command of the Italian garrison is the cultured Captain Antonio Corelli, who responds to a Nazi greeting of "Heil Hitler" with his own "Heil Puccini," and whose most precious possession is his mandolin. It isn't long before Corelli and Pelagia are involved in a heated affair--despite her engagement to a young fisherman, Mandras, who has gone off to join Greek partisans. Love is complicated enough in wartime, even when the lovers are on the same side. And for Corelli and Pelagia, it becomes increasingly difficult to negotiate the minefield of allegiances, both personal and political, as all around them atrocities mount, former friends become enemies, and the ugliness of war infects everyone it touches.

the truth about WW2 from Greek & Italian perspective ( )

I was transported to another world by this book! I would recommend it to anyone who loves fiction. ( )

I tried and I tried but gave up on this book twice! Got to around page 130 ish each time. My sister did the same but succeeded in reading it the 2nd time and said it was worth the effort...maybe I'll give it another go one day....maybe...

I did enjoy the film though - however I've been told it's very different to the book! ( )

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Never written a review before but felt I had to make a few comments. Prior to reading this reading this I had read Bernieres' "Bird's Without Wings". Clearly the author has talent. Not only does he create interesting stories and characters but the history contained in the stories is fascinating. His style is simple and direct if not elegant. However, the plotting on "Corelli's" was horrid. As another reviewer noted a decent editor should have screamed about the last 100 pages. The ending was contrived, inconsistent with previous character development, lacking in credibility, unnecessary, and trivial. What a waste of some excellent writing. If you haven't read the book, don't read the final 100 pages. If you want to learn from Bernieres, follow his style and structure but not his plotting. Some stories are better unresolved than forced into a phony stereotypic endings. ( )

This book made me cry so much it hurt. ( )

Beautiful description of love, tragic story, really irritating ending. ( )

This book has sadly become a victim of its own success, making a cameo appearance in Notting Hill and being adapted into that dire movie version starring Nicolas Cage. De Bernieres does very, very well at blending the tragedy and the horror of the Second World War with a very organic-feeling humour which arises from the sheer quirkiness of the characters he places in front of us. Some of the energy and the verve which makes it such an enjoyable read does fall away in perhaps the last quarter or so, but not enough to truly detract from my love of this. Forget the movie, avoid the movie, read the book: it's wild and irreverent and beautiful, a delight that will bring a smile to your face. ( )

I loved this book so much. It is one of my favourites. Whoever said that you should persevere with it was absolutely spot on. After the first 100 pages you start falling in love with the characters.

I visited Kefalonia - I had read some of the book before I went, and read the rest on my return. I have to say that some of the descriptions of the characters were very accurate portrails of the Kefalonians, friendly, slightly made, eccentric, warm etc.

This is a book I will read again and again... ( )

Advice I was given prior to reading this book - "Don't get discouraged by the first 100 pages. Be patient, read beyond that and you will be rewarded." Excellent advice. A beautiful story that takes place in a harsh setting. Like many of De Bernieres' books - wild, sweeping, irreverent. I recommend it highly. ( )

The book is beautiful. The movie is an abomination. But isn't that usually the case? ( )

I adored this book. You get so caught up in the simple love between the two main characters, that even with the backdrop of the war, the humour and delight is palpable. However it was one of those books where I felt myself well up at the sadness that so many years could be lost and such a love was left for so long. It seemed unfair that happiness had to be postponed. I wanted to go back and re-write the ending, wishing it could have been another way. Nevertheless, the book is fantastic and I will go back and re-read it again and again. ( )

I thought this was one of the best books I ever read until the last 100 pages. Then it felt like the author just ran out of steam and tried to quickly rush through and tie everything up, covering many years in the process. It just didn't work given the beauty and complexity of the story up to that point. If not for that, I would have given it five stars easily. ( )

http://scooterchronicles.com/2007/01/... ( )