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lesemaresi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
bergsteiger's review against another edition
4.0
I read Corelli's Mandolin many moons ago and remembered quite liking it. I also remember having to have a dictionary handy to look up words occasionally :) At any rate, I really enjoyed this book. It is essentially a man approaching his middle-age crisis in late 70s, early 80s England, who meets a woman from Yugoslavia and becomes infatuated with her and the story of her life. We never learn if all of the story of her life is true and certainly there are parts that are and others that aren't. While her story, the meat of the book, was entertaining, it was really the ending that brought the whole book together and made it 4 stars instead of 3. Poignant and authentic, I couldn't help but marvel at the simplicity and texture of de Bernieres fine ending to this tale. It is a quick read and if you like good literature then please pick it up off the shelf.
goreb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jesslolsen's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the structure of this story.
I feel unfair giving it only 3 stars, there was nothing “wrong” with it at all, I just didn’t finish wanting more from it.
The ending was sad but i thought it was fitting
I feel unfair giving it only 3 stars, there was nothing “wrong” with it at all, I just didn’t finish wanting more from it.
The ending was sad but i thought it was fitting
fleurdevie's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
cathybruce208's review against another edition
1.0
I admit that I only got through about half of this book. The author had some interesting insights into middle age and life, but nothing actually happened. The guy just went to visit the girl, listened to her lie to him, and saved up money to pay to sleep with her, (which he says he could never do.) It might get more interesting in the second half, but I couldn't hang in there.
essjay1's review against another edition
1.0
I should stop reading books by this author ... people recommend them and I think I should try because he is so popular. This one is pretty much his stock standard formula that he more or less recreates every time: man meets woman, waits too long or does something stupid, man loses woman. He writes about lost love, and unrequited love, and it clearly strikes a chord with people. I am sure fans of the author will love the book, but I just kept waiting for something to happen other than the obvious. As a side, the book gives us a concise history of the former Yugoslavia, and some wry observations of England in the late 70's.
leslielu67's review against another edition
3.0
Expected more, after being blown away by The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts and Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Still good, but much shorter and concise.
gjmaupin's review against another edition
4.0
Kind of a historical novella, in its way, isn't it? I enjoy de Bernieres a lot, though he's usually more in the"sprawling and immersive" line.