Book: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

I adore Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres. Set in the early days of World War II on the Greek island of Cephalonia, a beautiful local woman falls in love with Captain Antonio Corelli in command of the Italian garrison occupying the island. The historical detail in the novel is magnificent. This is a great book, a serious work of historical fiction with a beautiful love story. It has what every good book should have, a really good story, attention to historical detail and beautiful writing. I think it helps that I first read it on the Greek island of Syros, sitting in the shade, the deep blue sea stretching for miles in front of me.