Peas, mandolins and snails (Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis de Bernieres)

Member Name: jessyclown

Product:	Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis de Bernieres
Date:	07/02/02 (466 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: very well written, very funny, story of life

Disadvantages: the last few chapters drag

I know so many people who have read ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’; some as part of reading groups and others just for pleasure. When people were reading the book many found it hard going but all of them said that it was a good book and well worth reading. When the film of the book came out on video I had heard so many good reviews about the film I decided I wanted to see it, but before watching the film I wanted to read the book. I saw the book on a friend’s shelf and asked if I could borrow it and started to read it. After a false start I started again and I was engrossed!

For those who have not read the book or seen the film I shall set the scene.

In a small Greek island called Cephalonia lived a doctor, Dr Iannis with his daughter Pelagia. Pelagia was a beautiful young lady and life on the island was good, old fashioned but good. There was a young man, Mandras who she fell in love with. Unhappily war was raging in Europe and many of the young men including Mandras went off to war. Life in Cephalonia was dramatically changed when the Italian army came to occupy it. In the home of Dr Iannis and Pelagia an Italian soldier was billeted his name was Captain Antonio Corelli. Captain Corelli was a musician at heart and played a Mandolin.

The story follows the fortunes of Dr Iannis and Pelagia through the war years and beyond. The book covers the lives of people who know, or get to know the doctor and his daughter. It tells the story of an occupied Island and how the occupiers become friends. It tells a story of war and where allegiances lie, how fickle alliances can be and how nasty the people in charge are. It tells a story of love and hatred.

This is a very sad book in many ways but it is one which kept me gripped for hours, when I really got into it it was very hard to put down. The story line was convincing and well written. Although it was mainly about war it is a story about human nature
and how people interact. Most of all it is a very funny book. I found myself laughing a lot as I read about the little events within the story.

It starts with the tale of a man who has been deaf in one ear for as long as he can remember and the doctor managed to cure by removing a pea. The man turns up a while later wanting the pea to be replaced, as he can not cope with his nagging wife.

Towards the end of the book it races through the life of Pelagia until she is an old woman. This is where the weak part of the book is. I wanted to know what happened at the end but found this part got in the way. There were less of the funny anecdotes in it just the facts of her life.

I think that I would like to read this book again, as I am sure I missed lots of little bits of information. I am sure it will be as funny with a second reading and the last part may be more readable as I know the ending.

This book was based around the Second World War and afterwards. I am ashamed to say I know little of the facts surrounding this period in Greece. The author maintains that he has tried to be as close to history as possible. If this book is read as a commentary of the effects of war it is a very powerful story.

Do read this book if you have not done so already. I am now ready to watch the film though I am sure to be disappointed when I do!

Summary: