It took me quite awhile to finish this unusual novel, not because it failed to hold my interest, but because it felt so strange to be reading a story about an old catastrophe while living through brand new interesting times...the daily news has been most distracting.

Corelli's Mandolin is a WWII novel set on the Greek island of Cephallonia, during the Italian occupation. Louis de Bernieres weaves history and local folklore together in this touching story that centers around Pelagia, a young Greek woman who falls in love with Captain Corelli, a member of the occupying army.

Though these two characters are the novel's focus, there are many other engaging, charming, and tragic characters, and I cared about all of them. I'm always impressed when an author makes me feel compassion for characters who turn bad, and de Bernieres achieved that at least once in this story.

Pelagia's father, Dr. Iannis, is a fascinating character, and the wisdom he passes on to his daughter are among the most profound words I've ever read in a novel.

The ending was not what I expected, and did not seem realistic, but then, it's not supposed to be. I interpret it as statement about what was taken from people who didn't get to live the lives they should have had. I loved the way Pelagia gets to reminiscence at the end, remembering Carlos, Velisarios, Lemoni, Psipsini, and Drosoula...because as her father once said, when loved ones die, you have to live on their behalf...

Bravo! Thank you, Kevin, for the recommendation.