It sounds like such a petty term, like I'm almost disregarding every other piece of literature that I've both read and have yet to read. Like I have chosen one book to hold above all others in my regard. But still, until the next book that grasps me like this one has, I can honestly say that I have never read a book quite like Louis De Bernieres's masterpiece, Captain Corelli's Mandolin.
Perhaps surprisingly, I didn't actually pick up this book to read of my own volition. I had to read it for my AS Literature course. When we were first told to read it I had no emotions to speak of really, I just thought that it was going to be another novel that I'd probably like, but forget about no sooner than the exam was over. But then we started reading it in class. Within the first chapter I became enamoured with the charm of the Greek Island of Cephallonia, and already could relate to the brilliantly rendered characters on Dr Iannis and his brilliant yet different daughter Pelagia. Chapter two took me to somewhere I certainly did not expect to be, inside the inner thought's of the infamous Italian dictator Mussolini, and then to be following the horrible tale of the Greek occupation that happened during the second world war.
It's not often that I end up crying because of a book, with the notable exception of The Book Thief, but Carlo's death had me turning the pages through my tears. Antonio and Pelagia's reunion at the end of the book had me laughing, while also slightly surprised - I had honestly thought that the charming Captain was dead!
But really, If there was ever a book that I would reccomend to other people, it would be this one, despite the numerous complaints of people in my class, with cries of 'but there's so many long words!'. So yeah, un bury your copies of Homer, and get stuck in to Captain Corelli's Mandolin - I can truthfully say it's probably the best book I've read. (So far any way...)
