Captain Corelli's Mandolin is set 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.

I know it's a classic but I never really got into this novel. Hated the film even more with all those dodgy accents :o(

Caught at Edinburgh Festival Meet.

Offered as BookRing.

BookRing:

heartsong2 - US - Intl if nec
susanmrz - US - Intl
FeralReader - USA - Intl
Mamikaem - US - Intl near end
hetku77 - Finland - Eur
whitehorsy - Belgium - Intl
andthings - UK - Intl
laura0141 - UK - ENDS

PMed heartsong2 for addy

On way to heartsong2

Arrived today! Did you see that hot thread topic recently re: that this was a difficult read? It got me nervous, however, it did say the ending was worth it! The book has been on my wishlist, so I'm up for the challenge!

Wow! I've been reading this book for a long time. Ultimately, I did really enjoy this book, though. A sad story about the ravages of war, and the resilience of people. How people will strive to make a life for themselves even in the midst of the worst circumstances. That part of the story was very inspiring to me. The scene with Carlos and Corelli at the execution made me think of the sacrifice of Christ at this holy holiday time. And also the role music played in the story. Music is a language all its own. I would have fallen in love with Corelli, too ;)!

Thank you for sharing this book. I'm glad I persevered!

I have susanmrz. addy and will post in the mail this coming Wednesday.

Update: posted 4/19/06.

I finally finished this book. I realized that I did not journal when it arrived here with me in New Jersey. I found it long to get through but worth it in the end. The use of language and descriptions of the settings and people were excellent. It also gave me a perspective on events at that time from different angles. I found the ending somewhat disappointing and contrived to bring the plots to closure. I will PM the next in line and get it off in the mail

This book was waiting for me when I arrived home from a weekend trip. Thanks a bunch, susanmrz!

I loved this book. I didn't know what to expect, but found de Bernieres' writing absolutely captivating. A beautiful story about a terrible time, and the responses of ordinary people when the familiar context of their lives is destroyed. An insightful, sensuous and intimate study of human nature and cultural history; very impressive.

Thanks for sharing it via the bookring, Laura 0141!

Will send it off to Mamikaem tomorrow.

Received this in today's mail. I've got a few book rings in front of it, but will get to it as soon as I can. Thanks!

UPDATE: 09/16/06 - finally starting this today. My apologies for being so slow in getting to it.

I only started this book tonight, but as I am far behind in my bookrings, I am opting to pass this along. I'm at a busy time in my life, when my casual reading interests really need to just be light and fluffy (as shallow as that seems!). Thanks for the opportunity. I will pass this along as soon as I get an address from the next reader.

UPDATE: 11/14/06 - finally got this mailed out. My apologies, yet again, for being so slow!

22.2. It took a looooong time, but this book arrived by mail just today. Thank you, Mamikaem!

13.9. I started reading the book.

14.1.2008 I finally finished the book over the weekend. I can't believe it took so long! I think one reason is that I'm not a native English speaker and the langauge was indeed difficult at times. In general I liked the story even it was sad and quite horrible at times - especially towards the end of the war. I do have to admire those people who've been able to survive those circumstances. The language and descriptions were really beautiful. I found the end of the story, when Corelli finally came back to Pelagia, rather lame. You would have thought that after the difficulties they've been through, he would have came back to her right away when he could instead of 50 years later.

Whitehorsy has received the book elsewhere in the mean while, so she asked to be skipped. I mailed the book to andthings this morning.