09.29.08
Corelli’s Mandolin
As if I am not already immensely intrigued about Greece and enamored to many things Hellenic, a friend lends me a copy of Corelli’s Mandolin. [He is letting me keep the book until he builds his dream house and engineers his dream shelf. So yes, this book will practically be mine for circa two decades. *wide teasing grin* ]
Corelli’s Mandolin is incredibly lyrical, so musical that one imagines a fermata instead of a period after its closing measure. I am recurrently hearing the rapid arpeggios and tremolos, the gentle lapping of Aeschylus’ “innumerable smiles of the waves” on Greece’s bluish rocks, operatic echoes, Antonio Corelli’s mandolin, and Pelagia’s beating heart which is unbelievably very much like mine.This narrative presented an exquisite balance of love, loss, life, death, loyalty, innocence, sagacity, culture, medicine, history, literature, art, music, philosophy, and an ample amount of the most clever humour.The movie was a far, far cry.Despite its uniqueness as a novel, one cannot deny the influence of Gabriel García Márquez, and the author used this impression in such a beautiful way. Louis de Bernières should not be among those wordsmiths that you would stash away to your least favourite shelf.This book is a literary treat for the heart.
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sopraninigabi said,
September 29, 2008 at 5:15 pm
The movie was a far, far cry —>
Saw the movie, and used it as a basis for the book, now I realize I did this unjustly. :) Hmmm my interest has been piqued, will get a copy when I see it being sold at Booksale
Louis de Bernières should not be among those wordsmiths that you would stash away to your least favourite shelf.
–> Tee hee you have that? :) In our case, we keep the “junk books” in boxes.
Miracle ♪♫ said,
September 29, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Oh, Gabi! I think you will enjoy this book. The charming and witty Captain Corelli loves opera. He even named his army unit of singing men, “La Scala,” and says “Heil Puccini” in response to a “Heil Hitler.” hehe =)
Regarding the least favourite shelf… yes, I have that for Nicholas Sparks and such, from days of yore. haha
I do hope to have profounder books to replace them soon…and then perhaps use them for artworks. hehehe =)
Karlo said,
September 29, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I’ve been seeing copies of the book lying somewhere in Booksale for months already (since Summer).
I hesitated buying it every time I saw it because (1) it costs over a hundred pesos (and I always find something, which in my opinion was better, for less) and (2) my bad reception of the book’s film adaptation.
This modest review, of course, sort of changed my initial opinion. I’d probably get Bernières’ novel when they lower its price to below a hundred! =)
Miracle ♪♫ said,
September 29, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Tsk… if only we guys were neighbors I’d gladly share the book with the two of you!
Karlo, I’m glad that this meager review caused you to reconsider, but don’t trust my estimations too much, though. I’ve been known to have uncommon tastes. hehe =)
I still hope Booksale drops the price - soon!
Karlo said,
September 29, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Not too worry, while my tastes are fairly common, I do hold the uncommon with high esteem. =)
Miracle ♪♫ said,
September 29, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Ah! Spoken like a true gentleman.
Even though some of our literary preferences vary, I wouldn’t exactly call yours “common,” either… and I hope that our bookish appetites meet somewhere in Bernières. =)
inkatink said,
September 30, 2008 at 9:12 am
aheemmm… my book darling, my book. I’m glad you enjoyed the book. I simply call it beautiful.
Miracle ♪♫ said,
September 30, 2008 at 9:20 am
Yes. Your book. ;-)
It is indeed beautiful. *sigh*
Thank you, once again.