Beach Cafe Book Club - Captain Corellis Mandolin
So, for the last book of the year we decided to take it back to an old classic - Captain Corelli's Mandolin by the British writer Louis de Bernieres, set on the Greek island of Cephalonia duiring the Italian and German occupation of the Second World War. This book touches on pain, love, heartbreak and the horrendousness that was WW2. With nothing but amazing reviews we thought we and our beautiful friends would give it a go.
Read below to see what we all thought, with feature reviews from Anna Hart & Holly Scarsella.
Beach Cafe Director - Emma
Captain Corelli's Mandolin is a favourite book of mine and I have fond memories of reading it through the night on a bus journey from Brisbane to Sydney in my 20s. As well as being a beautiful love story, it is a fascinating description of the devastating effects of war on people, relationships and communities. cannot recommend this book enough! (P.S it is NOTHING like the film)
Founder of Pampelone Clothing - Holly Anna Scarsella
Captain Corelli's Mandolin has long been one of my favourite movies so was really excited to read the book and intrigued as always as to whether the book would live up to my self-created hype. The story is one of love, and I just love how author Louis De Bernieres manages to capture such passion and lust within such a vivid atmosphere of war. In my opinion, he cleverly does ths with the setting. To me anyway, the Greek Islands hold so many connotations of Beauty and Charm, this just added to the overall atmosphere. Even having watching the movie, the book still conjured up the most wonderful scenes in my mind which is truly such a treat for me when reading novels.
Blogger & Director of One Roof Social - Anna Hart
The book taks perseverance, this isn't a light holiday read. You need to make a proper commitment to it and it does take a while to get going, but you are really rewarded with a beautiful story. What first struck me is how as a brit I really didn't know much about the conflict the Greeks went through during the war. we are only really taught about the Germans and thier alliance with the Italians, the fall of Mussolini and the Italians subsequently joining the allies. The story goes into great detail about the horrors of war, both its physical and emotional distruction. Whilst a tought read at times I kind of feel its important to grasp what the author is portraying; war is really pretty horrid,
My favourite part about the book is how it depicts love in all forms. The bond between father and daughter, lovers (hetero and homosexual) strangers and visitors, nationalities - and of course; a man and his mandolin. I'm really glad I took the time to read it again; its defintely mote of a challenge than other holiday-book choices but once you're into it you can't put it down.
Beach Cafe General manager & Social - Laura
I slightly struggled at the start of the book, there is a lot going on and its a book that definately needs focus. However, perservere and you will not regret it. The story is painful, yet beautiful. Louis De Bernieres lays out a very detailed picture of the awfullness that was WW2 and the effects it had on, well, everything. Love, life, families and the place they called home. It has an amazing way of filling you with love while breaking your heart at the same time, is this possible?!
