This novel is one of the best books that I have ever read. In my short 16 year-old life, I have not yet read any book even remotely comparable to the emotions and afterthoughts I have experienced throughout my reading of this novel. It is not only a semi-historical novel, it is a demonstration of the humour, tragedy, human fallacies and qualities in a time of conflict. The happenings de Bernieres describes are vivid, breathtakingly colourful...sometimes I wish that I myself could experience the lives of Pellagia or Corelli, just to feel what they felt at times of intense happiness, sadness or love. Although the beginning may be unattractively slow, or long-winded, don't be put off, because you'll definitely be missing out on the wealth of literary ecstacy later on....the ending, I'll just say that you shouldn't expect anything; but ultimately, it is more realistic than any other corny movie ending where "everyone lives happily ever after". Anyway, I believe that ANYONE should read this book. Life would less exciting without it. :)

You can read other reviews here and they all complain about the ending. Well, the ending doesn't live up to the rest of the book, it's true. But don't let that put you off. The book as a whole must surely be one of the most remarkable, insightful, beautiful and profound books ever written. Set primarly in a tiny Greek village on the island of Cephallonia, and told through the eyes of maybe half a dozen characters, this remarkable tale explores the effects of war on simple people as they struggle to preserve their lives and their loves, and to understand the meaning of happiness, life and death. Dr. Iannis is wise; his daughter Pelagia is strong; her fiance handsome but weak; her soulmate charming and well-meaning (though the ending suggests perhaps not worthy of her); the village priest a drunken buffoon,...and there are others. The notes on the back of the book quote the Observer's review: "...an emotional, funny, stunning novel which swings with wide smoothness between joy and bleakness, personal lives and history...it's lyrical and angry, satirical and earnest". I guess that really says it all. One last note, though: Here in New Zealand on the annual bookstore's reader's poll, this novel made the top 10 in 1998.

I decided to read this novel out of interest both as a musician, and as an A-Level English Literature student. After two chapters I was hooked, and could not put the book down. The thing that puts this novel head and shoulders above all the others is the brilliant characterisation - as a reader, you begin to care for Pelagia, the doctor's daughter; Mandras, her fiance who has been left physically and psychologically scarred by the war; Carlo, the brave but gentle Italian homosexual; and of course, the eponymous Captain Corelli. The writing style also plunges the reader through a range of emotions. The book goes from being hilariously funny, to poignant, to brutally shocking. You cannot help but laugh at a chapter written entirely from Mussolini's viewpoint, in which 'Il Duce' demands that the temperature of Italy be lowered in order to increase the resilience of the Italian youth! Likewise, when an Italian character has his head split by a Greek bullet, and asks Carlo to break the news to his mother, the poignancy is unbearable. De Bernieres' description of Corelli's music is so vivid, you can almost hear the pieces he plays, and the depiction of battles is also brilliant. This book will open your eyes to the fact that not all of the Fascist troops in the Second World War were maniacs - some, like the fictitious Captain Corelli, were ordinary people caught up in a savage conflict.

I finally convinced myself to read Corelli's Mandolin after hearing so many wonderful reviews of the book. I had seen Mandolin on several favorite booklists and was wondering what the fuss was about. I knew within five pages exactly what they have been speaking about. The novel tells the tale of a little village in Greece primarily during World War II. Each chapter has a different narrator, from the main characters all the way to the Duce, Mussolini himself. The main characters are Dr. Iannis, the village doctor, and his daughter Pelagia, an aspiring doctor herself. Once promised to fellow villager, Mandras, she eventually meets and falls in love with Italian invader, Captain Antonio Corelli. Between extremely detailed descriptions of German and Italian possession of Greece, the reader is rewarded with sweet romantic encounters and hilarious adventures. I absolutely recommend this novel to those who enjoy period novels, especially World War II history buffs.

This is the kind of book that seems to have everything. It first became popular by word of mouth rather than by any great publicity drive. In particular, when booksellers were confronted by a customer saying 'what shall I read?' they knew they could comfortably recommend Captain Corelli to just about anyone. It's a war story, a love story, a travel story (Greek islands, Mediterranean vibes etc), a political story, a tragedy, a romance and a comedy. This makes it a great book to buy as a gift for someone else, as tens of thousands have. Of course, whether this mixture of elements actually works in a novel you'll have to judge for yourself. My own view is that de Bernieres succeeds in what he attempts. Many people have complained that the start is too slow and the ending unsatisfying. I think that's a bit like calling a sandwich boring because it's made out of bread. You have to savour the whole thing to get the benefit. One criticism I would uphold, though, is of the politics. de Bernieres portrays the Greek resistence to Nazism as useless and evil. This is simply a misrepresentation of the facts, based on a strong anti-communist bias. There's nothing wrong with being anti-communist, but misrepresenting history doesn't help the argument.

"Corelli's Mandolin" came highly recommended by two friends whose sophisticated taste in fiction I trust. I won't comment on the plot, as the synopses above do that very well. Mr. de Bernieres is an exceptional prose stylist, who writes beautiful, elegant sentences, provides descriptions of such clarity as to make your inner eye need sunglasses, and has a twisted comic sense that reminds me of Mark Helprin and John Irving. The first 100 pages are slow going, yet still very involving, as you are introduced to the cast of characters, the island of Cephallonia, and the events leading up to the Italian occupation of the island. The pace picks up once Captain Corelli arrives on the scene and begins his beguiling seduction of Pelagia. But I must caution potential readers: this novel is dense with information, multiple narrative viewpoints, satire, history, an odd assortment of characters, and the narrator's discursive approach. I did not find this book to be a "breezy" or fast read. This is not a plot-driven novel or a page-turner by any means. If you like similar books and think the premise sounds interesting, then prepare to settle in for a leisurely, occasionally mind-bending read. Personally, I think that Mark Helprin's "A Soldier of the Great War" is a far more successful attempt at the same type of novel. Helprin is a brilliant writer with a huge intellect who plots like a madman, writes inspired and wickedly funny dialogue, and paints word pictures that will be indelibly etched in your mind. "Soldier" is probably my favorite book of the 1990's. "Corelli's Mandolin" is excellent but it's not truly a classic. Nevertheless, I await de Bernieres' next book with anticipation.

Great characters. Magical story. Corruption, greed and salvation. Humans being humans.
This book has everything and I really can't recommend this book highly enough. I found Correlli's Mandolin convoluted and dragged out, although a brilliantly written book. I found this and the other two books in the trilogy to be masterful works full of passion, truth and wit. The theme of magic running throughout is fantastical and fantastic, the characters real and lovable. When a character dies, as they have a habit of doing, you are taken aback and upset, you care about them and is there a higher praise than that?
Anyone who thinks that this book lacks gravitas is mistaken; De Berniere's pen is so light that he is able to fully deal with the political situation in South America without becoming bogged down in moralising or political dogma.
De Berniere deals with life and death and the injustices that surround us as only a gifted writer with a soaring imagination can. I read in other people's reviews that he has borrowed heavily from other works, but seeing as I have never read these works this book is as crisp and fresh to me as "Rock around the clock" must have been when Bill Haley released it.
I did have problems with the list of characters that De Berniere introduces in this book, but I started again when I got to page 50 and wrote out who was who whenever anyone new was introduced. My friend who lives in Spain just reckons it is that I am not used to Spanish names as opposed to poor characterisation that led me to this confusion, and I have to agree.
I read this book on a cliff top overlooking the Atlantic in May during a heat wave and was taken to South America with the heat and dust, the valleys and forests. I even developed a worrying accent in the pubs at night. A hard read, but once you enter it, it is one of the easiest books you will ever read.
I loved it.
Watch out for Hectoro, a character who gets better and better throughout the trilogy.

I'm not a fan of Marquez, so I was hesitant to read this book; the comparison is apt, as both write tales of South America with a fantastical edge. De Bernieres, however, posesses a fine wit and a skill for story-telling that is reminiscent of Dickens and John Irving. Following the exploits of the fine cast of characters in a phantom banana republic inspired in me a frenzy of page-turning that is usually reserved for the best of thrillers. Yes, it's a cliche, but I couldn't put this one down; I needed to see what each quirk of fate would bring, and more importantly, I needed to howl at the great gags buried in every page. If you love to laugh and relish a fine, eccentric plot-line, De Bernieres is certainly for you.

The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts is one of the most original books I have ever read. It is, in turns, witty and horrific but always engaging. Having travelled throughout South America myself, I found myself nodding and laughing at his cultural refrences such as the Ford Falcons. De Bernieres writing style evokes Garcia Marquez but with edgier prose. This book left me smiling and wanting more.

Very complex, creative and compelling. Gets you into the mindset of the time and place. Makes you want to say, "why didn't I think of that" when he brings it up a notch. De Bernieres understands what he is writing about. Love all his works.

Witty, sardonic, sarcastic and yet romantic: Louis de Bernieres parodies the magical realism of the Latin American greats, transforming what Nick Joaquin, Filipino counterpart of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, has baptized "Tropical Gothic" into a P.G. Wodehousesianesque barrel of laughs; and yet Bernieres can horrify and move you to tears -all in the same novel. His books go from strength to strength; a master storyteller by any set of criteria.

lived in our world...we could use a few like him.

Dionisio Vivo (not his real name) is just a typical philosophy teacher in a typical high school in a small Andean town in a small Andean country. Then he writes a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, telling the local drug lord to put a stop to his dirty business....and life gets complicated for Dionisio.

De Bernieres writes with great style, creates wonderful human characters who are just a touch over the top, and tells a tragic story with wit and humor.

Red Dog by Louis de Bernieres is an absolute gem. I have come to the conclusion that in the big picture of our existence as humans the only thing that means anything is our capacity to love and how we treat each other. We are living in a difficult time of unspeakable human cruelty and greed. This book reminds me that not all humans are horrible, some actually "get it" and that we are indeed lucky when we can share our lives with dogs and other animals. They teach goodness by example, something we humans should take more notice of. I recommend this book highly; keep a box of tissues nearby.

Louis De Bernieres has written some marvelous literature. "Red Dog", is a wonderful true story about a dog that befriended a good portion of Australia, and has been memorialized with a bronze statue as well as other books. Faithful readers of this author will likely be disappointed if they expect another sweeping novel. This short story does not appear to have been planned, as it unfolds with crisp episodes in the remarkable life of this canine. It is extremely unusual in that the book has been illustrated with what appear to be etchings. Illustration has sadly become the domain of primarily very expensive, limited edition, small press books.

This is not a child's book, perhaps for young readers in Junior High, but not for young children. This is a book about adults and how a remarkably charismatic canine changed their lives. This is not a fairly tale, it includes the realities of very trying circumstances and the people who pioneer the way in this extremely difficult environment. When it gets hot in the USA warnings suggest certain groups stay indoors. When it gets hot down under, warnings are issued for gas tanks that are prone to explode when exposed to the sun!

I think it is great that an author who has established himself as an accomplished literary writer would have the courage to step well away from what has worked for him repeatedly. I was reminded of some of John Steinbeck's work that centered around animals, both his own and fictional. If John Steinbeck can make the change I believe it is safe for other accomplished authors to explore unfamiliar genres, and they do not deserve to be punished for doing so. This is especially the case when the results are so worthwhile. I was going to give this 4 stars but I stepped it up to 5. The book was punished and I wanted to even out what is a brief but entering read.

This book is brilliant. I read it for our regular book discussion group and think it is the best book I have read for a long time.

Red Dog is a great character, and is just how you imagine a great dog should be. The stories are amazing, and make you want a dog just like him.

It is sad in parts, but that shows how good the book is; that it makes you cry as well as laugh.

I wish Louis de Bernieres had written more like this. I will just have to settle for reading Red Dog again.....and again.....and again!!!...

I read the first two books in this series which were fantastic and then I got to this one. It is terrible and a real disapointment.

De Bernieres once again sets up his narration in a "ficticious" village in the "Andean Jungle" of South America. Though, if you know of the author's teaching experience in Colombia, and the many "cues" he purposedly gives (in the shape of climatic and geographic features as well as in the expression of the life style of the people involved), it won't be difficult to point out the afore mentioned Latin American country as the "cauldron" the writer will use to freely (=carelessly, non-knowingly) pour his recollection of ancient "gentile" (=pre-Hispanic, pre-Catholic) stories, traditions, myths he must have heard (and subsequently written down to be used later) during his infatuation with the "New World" (as that part of the world is often called due to the lateness to be captured into formal "civilization"). However, even when you know it's purely fictional, there's always something that won't let you swallow it smoothly when, for instance, you find indigenous Quechua, Aymara, and modern Mexican symbolic presence all mixed in one colorful but rather odd and at times tasteless concoction. The magical and the real don't blend so smartly and their transition hardly ever occurs naturally; things just happen and we have to accept them as such without a chance of thinking or criticizing it (due to the risk of giving up reading at all). The main character isn't just one individual but the collectivity of the village that plays the role of the body wherein a handful of extraordinary men and women will compete to outstand as its prominent members in isolated chapters. The language used is simple and easy to read (that is if you're familiar with Spanish sayings and expressions; otherwise you'll miss the witty and sometimes maningful names De Bernieres plays with in this book). What the author tries -and at times succeeds- to depict (not perfectly as stated before) is the way of living and thinking of the people of any Bolivarian (area comprised by Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia) small town; something that will give an idea to the reader of why a young, resource-rich, energetic, spiritual sub-continent has difficulty in "emerging from the pit". Though, of course, a more complex view in this topic is required, I have to admit. The prose is fluid intra- but not so inter- chapters; the genius of the writer is shown in short self-contained not necessarily connected descriptions which at times can get you to feel the emotions he's forcefully inviting you to be part of. If you need something to read while you commute on the train/bus (as I have to) or just need something to read by bits while catching sleep every night (in the same fashion as a 30-minute weekly soap opera), this book will do. If you need something more acurate (though still fictional) and compelling, you'd better stick to native South American writers such as Gabo (GGM) or Marito (MVLl) who are more able of painting real landscapes using fantastic brushes (or viceversa). Probably, now that I think it again, your ignorance of Latin American culture could play in your favor and make you enjoy this book as it happened to me (not a strict connoisseur of Mediterranean matters) when I read Captain Corelli's...

This books is part of a trillogy of books set in a mythical South American country, which is never given a name. Like the other books of the trillogy, it is mostly concerened with the citizens of the city Conchebajo de los Gatos. A city populated with extremely unique and well drawn characters. De Bernieres obviously has a great love for his people, and you get to know all of them very well if you read the entire trilogy. The novel is not a linear story, but a collection of incidents and descriptions of events, some extremely funny, some, like the river overflowing with the corpses of murderd street children, paint a poinient potrait of the social problems of South American cities. Not a light wait romp but a powerfull portrait of south american life, with a good dose of humor and magic thrown in.

Having said that, you would be mutch better off starting at the beggining of the trilogy, The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts. The Neather Parts introduces you to all the characters properly, and is I believe a better book. Both funnier and more diverse in it's stories. If you like Don Emmanuel's, then go on to read this.