Corelli's Mandolin by Louis De Bernieres  

This remarkable book brilliantly captures both the horrors and idiocy of the Second World War without leaving the confines of the small Greek island of Cephalonia. De Bernieres obviously loves his characters, and consequently so does the reader. The book swings from rich humor to abject misery effectively, and the love story between Pelagia, a Greek woman, and Antonio, an officer of the Italian army that is occupying the island, is real and touching. Their love is an antidote to the barbarity closing in around them. The secondary characters also come to life, and Mussolini’s monologues, interspersed among the chapters, are a brilliant commentary on megalomania. The descriptions of life in the village on Cephalonia are both funny and moving, the battle scenes are horrifying, and the indecision of the Italian army's brass is so stupefying it still makes you angry sixty years later. I was surprised that the book went beyond the war years right up to the ‘90s, a touch I had mixed feelings about. But overall I thought the book a modern classic. Too bad the movie wasn’t up to the standards of the book; if you’ve seen the movie don’t be put off – this is a touching book you will enjoy.

Has anyone else read this novel? If not, you are missing an encellent read.