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cseibs's review against another edition
4.0
Simply a wonderful story. The Cephallonians are richly depicted throughout, and the relationships drawn were beautiful. I even loved the ending - and I hate happy endings. De Bernieres kept the characters true and did not wrap the story up with a bow, but finished in a way that was consistent with the Pelagia and Corelli of the preceding 400 pages. I did find it odd, however, that de Bernieres would choose to romanticize the Italians in such a way, to the neglect of the larger context. Perhaps this was a statement as to the the isolation of Cephallonia itself, but it was something that I felt needed a little more attention than his mention in a half page afterward.
oddreyloo's review against another edition
4.0
ok yea it took me a month and a half to read but it’s actually a really good book. i wish i was smart enough to decipher what’s real and what’s fiction but rn it’s suspended in this purgatory of semi-realism and semi-fantasy and honestly that’s cool too.
frankchester's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Medical content, Gun violence, War, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Death, and Gore
bellaruffell's review
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
zakrydat's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
krista_lee's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite book I've read in at least the last two years. Brilliant and funny and tragic.
zoemacgregor12's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kristinvdt's review against another edition
3.0
There are many good things to say about this, but also some flaws in my opinion. The writing is good, but it's WAY too wordy. There are also several unneccessary storylines that make the book hard to follow and engage with, but I learned a lot. Parts of it are fun and charming. Parts awfully grotesque. It's a hard book to sum up.
nanio's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I thank god I have lived long enough to love you
donnaadouglas's review against another edition
5.0
I made the mistake of watching the movie before reading the book, and daresay, I was put off by it immensely. It took me an age to pick up and open this book. I quickly found that my initial prejudice was unfounded and that the book, in fact, was a delight to read. Bernieres creates characters who you immediately fall for, and you walk with them every step of the way.
Quotations I Liked
'Her mind emptied of anything but the vacuum of resignation that afflicts the hopeless in the imminence of death.'
'One can only forgive a sin after the sinner has finished committing it, because we cannot allow ourselves to condone it whilst it is still being perpetrated.'
Quotations I Liked
'Her mind emptied of anything but the vacuum of resignation that afflicts the hopeless in the imminence of death.'
'One can only forgive a sin after the sinner has finished committing it, because we cannot allow ourselves to condone it whilst it is still being perpetrated.'