A review by elerireads
Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières

5.0

Beautiful. I absolutely loved this book. Soft lyrical writing, each character with their own distinct voice and personality. Gripping without needing to be fast-paced. So many statements about the horror and ridiculousness of war, corruption, ideologies and prejudice, as well as exploring friendships across differences, parental love, community spirit, childhood naivety,... I could go on and on. I had to stay up in the middle of the night to finish it because I couldn't bear to stop reading. I've found myself laughing out loud, smiling at beautiful images, feeling deeply nostalgic for a time and a place I have never lived in, gasping at atrocities, and sobbing my heart out with despair (I'm not exaggerating). It's also a hymn to a simpler way of life, and I particularly loved the timelessness of the goatherd. Honestly I cannot express how much I loved this book.