Corelli's Mandolin : A Novel
3 journalers for this copy...
Pre-numbered label used for registration.
Book Description
Extravagant, inventive, emotionally sweeping, this rich and lyrical, heartbreaking and hilarious novel has been widely hailed as a classic. Set on the peaceful island of Cephallonia, just as the horrors of World World II reach its remote shores, Corelli's Mandolin is "an exuberant mixture of history and romance, written with a wit that is incandescent" (Los Angeles Times Book Review.
Extravagant, inventive, emotionally sweeping, this rich and lyrical, heartbreaking and hilarious novel has been widely hailed as a classic. Set on the peaceful island of Cephallonia, just as the horrors of World World II reach its remote shores, Corelli's Mandolin is "an exuberant mixture of history and romance, written with a wit that is incandescent" (Los Angeles Times Book Review.
Promised to Beautyredefined.
Journal Entry 4 by beautyredefined from Washington, District of Columbia USA on Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Yay! I just received this in the mail and would like to thank vavoice for his generosity (as well as the bookstore who gave him bags of books!)
Journal Entry 5 by beautyredefined from Washington, District of Columbia USA on Wednesday, February 25, 2004
This is truly an amazing book, and it certainly deserves its spot within the top 20 on the BBC's recent best-loved novel. (See website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml)
This book is to me a brilliant mix of an amazingly heartfelt story, the cold, distressing facts of World War II, and the relentless march of time. The author unravels the tale of a beautiful woman, Pelagia, from the Greek island of Cephallonia. Throughout, she remains her own self, unwilling to be the woman society wants her to be. When her island paradise is overrun by the Italian army, she has to confront her conflicting feelings for the charming musician, Captain Corelli, and her hatred of the army's mere existence on her island. We are invited to watch and sympathize with Pelagia as all the men in her life come and go, unsure of their possible return to her. Time inevitably continues, and so does Pelagia, living through memories of those past and through the hope of new life. We also see the history of the island emerge in its pages, from the horrors of foreign invaders, civil war and natural disasters, to the newer trials of modernization and tourism.
This book is occassionally graphic, yet through the talent of De Bernieres, the words seem natural in their place, and indeed necessary to portray the depth of all that occurred on this beautiful island. The author is unafraid to write the story as he sees it, without tiptoe-ing around an issue or an unpleasant act.
Lovers of history may enjoy the book solely for the authors account of how history has shaped and changed Cephallonia, and readers everywhere may enjoy the book solely for the story contained within. More likely, one will enjoy it for it's seamless mixture of the two, and anyone like me will have more than one opportunity to cry for the island and its inhabitants. However, this book is definitely worth any tears, and it's reading should be taken up by lovers of the humanities, whether it be music, literature, or history.
This book is now leaving the state of Wisconsin to visit mlbish in Illinois. Hope it gets there safely!
This book is to me a brilliant mix of an amazingly heartfelt story, the cold, distressing facts of World War II, and the relentless march of time. The author unravels the tale of a beautiful woman, Pelagia, from the Greek island of Cephallonia. Throughout, she remains her own self, unwilling to be the woman society wants her to be. When her island paradise is overrun by the Italian army, she has to confront her conflicting feelings for the charming musician, Captain Corelli, and her hatred of the army's mere existence on her island. We are invited to watch and sympathize with Pelagia as all the men in her life come and go, unsure of their possible return to her. Time inevitably continues, and so does Pelagia, living through memories of those past and through the hope of new life. We also see the history of the island emerge in its pages, from the horrors of foreign invaders, civil war and natural disasters, to the newer trials of modernization and tourism.
This book is occassionally graphic, yet through the talent of De Bernieres, the words seem natural in their place, and indeed necessary to portray the depth of all that occurred on this beautiful island. The author is unafraid to write the story as he sees it, without tiptoe-ing around an issue or an unpleasant act.
Lovers of history may enjoy the book solely for the authors account of how history has shaped and changed Cephallonia, and readers everywhere may enjoy the book solely for the story contained within. More likely, one will enjoy it for it's seamless mixture of the two, and anyone like me will have more than one opportunity to cry for the island and its inhabitants. However, this book is definitely worth any tears, and it's reading should be taken up by lovers of the humanities, whether it be music, literature, or history.
This book is now leaving the state of Wisconsin to visit mlbish in Illinois. Hope it gets there safely!
Arrived yesterday. Thanks, beautyredefined! I am looking forward to reading it, and I'll keep it moving when I'm finished.
