Corelli's Mandolin: A Novel [B1612]

1995 PB in excellent condition. The acclaimed story of a timeless place that one day wakes up to find itself in the jaws of history. "An exuberant mixture of history and romance, written with a wit that is incandescent"-Los Angeles Times Book Review. The place is the Greek island of Cephallonia, where gods once dabbled in the affairs of men and the local saint periodically rises from his sarcophagus to cure the mad. Then the tide of World War II rolls onto the island's shores in the form of the conquering Italian army. Caught in the occupation are Pelagia, a willful, beautiful young woman, and the two suitors vying for her love: Mandras, a gentle fisherman turned ruthless guerilla, and the charming, mandolin-playing Captain Corelli, a reluctant officer of the Italian garrison on the island. Rich with loyalties and betrayals, and set against a landscape where the factual blends seamlessly with the fantastic, Corelli's Mandolin is a passionate novel as rich in ideas as it is genuinely moving.

From the many recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Another excellent read. Starts a bit slow as we are introduced to some of the main characters is the tiny Greek village on Kaflatonia (next to Ithaca) off the western coast of Greece at the beginning of world War II. A mix of war story and love story--the love story wins but the war story is also compelling. Well worth reading. As good as expected; humane; an emotional roller coaster that takes the reader out of today (though much seems relevant)."; "Probably the best case for the absolute futility of war I've ever read."; "This is a World War II novel (inspired by true events) that is at times bleak and violent. That might not be everyone's cup of tea. But as a work of literature, this is nothing short of a masterpiece."; "One of my top 5 best novels I have ever read."; "Thoroughly enjoyable read that will have you reading during breakfast, and quite informative about interbellum and WWII Greece. Very accessibly written, with some more verbose stretches. It also helps that the Ionian sun feels extra appealing when read during long December nights."; "What an absolute gem of a book! The most unusual War book I've read in a long time. This book breaks your heart and fills it with joy at the same time. A story for the ages, and one that will linger on for many, many years."; "Historical fiction at its very best. Amazing...the writing is beautifully poetic, the characters are so unique and developed, and the historical fiction of WWII taking place mostly on a small island in Greece is very interesting!"