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.