It has been a few years since I read this, but I remember reading the first page and thinking, "this is pretty good"...and it only got better.

And a book with a cat as a character is usually good....I remember the cat's name...."psssspina" or something....greek for "cat"?

I am sure I will reread this book one of these days...I just found this author's first novel at a thrift store...can't recall the title except that it was a long title.

This is such an excellent read. Several years ago I discussed it here with a few people. I wish I had saved that discussion because it would refresh my memory and I would participate again.
I really hope some new readers find this book and discuss it. Much better than the movie!

I read it several months ago and loved it. It's been one of my favorite reads this year. Unfortunately, my memory is already getting foggy about the finer points of the novel, and I fully intend to read it again soon. I particularly found that the descriptions of the hardships the soldiers went through during the winter have stayed with me and cross my mind at odd moments. And the chapters written in Mussolini's voice were so wickedly funny that I actually snickered to myself in evil glee and even laughed out loud a few times.

Cindy I read this when it first came out probably over ten years ago and really enjoyed it.
Can you tell me why the title was changed from Captain Corelli's Mandolin for the US market? I can't see that the original should be considered too difficult for people across the Pond to understand.
As Janalyn says the film was pretty terrible, but there is a story behind that.

veer, I have no idea. I know publishers do that all of the time, and I don't get it. There was no reason to leave 'captain out of it.

I liked the movie actually - but then I knew very little about that time period and so for me it was a learning experience. But now that I have read the book I see how thin the movie adaptation was (plus they changed the ending) So, whats the story behind it?

I have been away for some days and forgot we were supposed to be reading this. As some others above, I read it several years back and have forgotten a great deal. I hope I can find it to re-read.

As for the film, I thought the dreadful performance by Cage was balanced by those of John Hurt and Penelope Cruse. I bought the film, but there is just something "not right" about it, IMO. Vee, please tell us the story behind it....

From what I understand C C's M was due to be directed by Roger Michell (Notting Hill & Changing Lanes plus other movies). He had spent a pleasant time finding suitable locations but then he suffered a massive heart-attack. The film was put on hold for several months, then as RM had to have major surgery the film company couldn't wait any longer and the direction was handed over to John Madden.
I too felt that Cage just wasn't Capt Corelli.

I finished reading Corelli's Mandolin recently. I avoided reading it because Nicholas Cage played the title role in the movie--and I don't care for Cage. Actually, I listened to it on audio cassette going up and down George Washington Parkway to and from work in Virginia. Having family and friends from Greece who went through Metaxas, Mussolini's invasion, Hitler's occupation and the Greek Civil War, the book's rendition of events was accurate; even though, I have read that de Berniere never visited Greece prior to writing the book. Another book, by the way, that handles the civil war period very well is Eleni by Nicholas Gage (yes, almost the same but they're not). A true story, it would be appropriate to read after Corelli. The characters in Corelli are very well drawn, and I agree that Mussolini's monologue will go down as one of literature's most brilliant.

terra, I read Eleni a few years ago (and then read the sequel, A Place for Us, about the families immigration and life in the US). I so agree that Eleni is excellent. I knew next to nothing about Greeces role in WWII, and had no idea there even was a civil war. There were many parts of Corelli that reminded me of the book.

I agree with you about the characters, and found much of the plot well written. I had one major quibble

(SPOILER ALERT)

I thought it was totally out of charcter for Corelli not to come back to his beloved. Even given that he saw she had a child, he had too much heart not to at least have said hello, to reassure her, something, anything then sneaking in every year or so to spy on her. That part made me so angry I had to reread it to make sure I was getting the whole picture.

I am very glad to have read the book after I saw the movie. I had no idea about who Mandras really was and what he became by the time he showed back up at her door.

SPOILER:

Cindy, I completely agree with your thoughts about Corelli's actions in not returning to her but watching her from afar. Up until that point in the book, I had never felt manipulated, but I felt as though de Bernieres was trying to wring the last drop of sympathy out of me by making the characters suffer until the very end when they are at last reunited. I still loved this book, though. I guess it was a small price to pay considering how wonderful the novel is when considering the whole picture.

I am going to read this, but I haven't been able to find it in stock at the brick & mortar bookstores. I ordered it a few weeks ago, but my expected delivery date is between December 5th and December 27th. I guess it is time to look at that order to figure out which book is holding up my shipment. :-)

I read this some time ago and didn't re-read it for the discussion, but I do remember being disgusted with Corelli for not coming back to stay. Irresponsible men!