Corelli’s Mandolin

This is my second free read assignment in my entire English career. My first book was Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. This time, I am reading Corelli’s Mandolin. I chose this book because it reminded of Catch-22 and Canterbury Tales. So far, I have come to an interesting part.

The story follows Dr. Iannis and his daughter, Pelagia on the Greek island of Cephallonia during World War II. The doctor cures a man with an old pea in his ear by pulling it out and then he begins writing the history of the island. There is sure MASSIVE vocabulary in the book. It is perfect to challenge my mind as a writer. My favorite chapter is the second one called The Duce. Why? Because of the way it is written. Bernieres wrote it as if Mussolini was talking to us. If reminds me of where in movies, one character is talking to another one but it is really the camera and we can’t see the other characters face.

Corelli’s Mandolin Pt. 2

So far, there are two big motifs in Corelli’s Mandolin, the father-daughter relationships and sexuality. First there is the father-daughter relationship motif. We see plenty of that with Dr. Iannis and the tomboy Pelagia. Then there is Mussolini and his loose daughter. They show a common pattern: wild daughter, stressed busy father. Then there is sexuality. This book is sexually oriented. It alright talked about one god’s penis and it also talks heavily about gays and lesbians. Even one guy goes to a church and asks if he is wrong to be gay while a soldier talks about how the guys eat, bathe, and sleep together. L’Omosessuale talks about sexuality in one of the chapter written about him.

The lovely tomboy, Pelagia, has found herself a sweetheart. His name is Mandras. He is charming, love sick for his girl, accident-prone, and not that bright at first. Mandras wants to marry Pelagia. But he is not getting a dowry if he does so. Why? Dr. Iannis isn’t too impressed with him because the tree fell out of a tree while playing and got thorns stuck in his back. Come to find out, Mandras is a serious young man and only puts on a show to impress Pelagia. In the chapter twelve however, he does purpose to his love at a festival and she accepts it. Now, Mandras has to ask her father for permission.

The way the book is written is interesting too. The point of views constantly changes from third person to first with the chapters written about certain characters. It reminds me of how Steinbeck wrote The Grapes of Wrath. Chapter eleven is written in a neat way too. De Bernieres set it up as if we were reading a script and a diary of Madras and Pelagia all in one. That was a pretty funny chapter.

Corelli’s Mandolin Pt. 3

Today was a short read. It was only three chapters. The only chapter that was good was chapter thirteen. I found today’s reading pretty dull.

I don’t have much to say but I’ll try. So here goes. Mandras doesn’t show up to ask for permission to marry Pelagia the next day after the fest and she begins to get worried. She thinks he is dead and even begins to doubt her love for him. After three days however, Pelagia goes down to the dock and finds Mandras swimming naked. She is so charmed by his looks that she compares him to a male sea-nymph. But then, the girl reminds a curse when one sees a nymph naked and falls into delirium. When she gets back into her head, Mandras is gone. She thinks he has drowned and falls depressed. However, her love shows up and they are officially engaged.

Chapters fourteen and fifteen are just from two soldiers points-of-view. L’Omosessuale appears again in chapter fifteen. He is in love with his fellow soldier, Francisco. He only wants to love him. Other than that, L’Omosessuale thinks that he and all of the other soldiers are idiots for fighting this war and he hates puttees. Things aren’t looking so pretty for the soldiers in this battle either. The weather was not on the soldiers’ side and they fought the Greeks until they retreated. Judging by this chapter alone, I would say that De Bernieres anti-war. He proves this through L’Omosessuale when he keeps expressing that war is bad in different ways.

Corelli’s Mandolin Pt. 4

Today was a better read. I wasn’t bored with the chapters. But I do however suspect that this is an anti-war novel. The theme screams it out perfectly well. Maybe even too loud.

Mandras is in war now. Pelagia writes to him constantly in Chapter sixteen. However, there is a small problem; Mandras hasn’t been writing back. That leads Pelagia to worry about him into a nervous breakdown. I have noticed that the closing change. By the last letter, Pelagia doesn’t mentioned being engaged to him and calls herself his. Sadly, I sense this will turn out to be a doomed love. It’s a pity because I hoped they would end happy together.

Meanwhile, things in war are getting worse. Carlo now hates his whole uniform, the war, and Italy altogether. Francisco has stopped talking to Carlo and only talks to his mouse, Mario. On the island in chapter eighteen, Dr. Iannis doubts his daughter’ fiancée and worries for her. He feels that Mandras could not love Pelagia and would be a terrible husband. But if the doctor broke the engagement, he would bring disgrace to the family. Dr. Iannis even hopes out of guilt that his future son-in-law would die in battle. To pass the time, the doctor begins writing about Greece and Italy’s history again. After the whole process, he finds it easier to a psychologist than an historian.

In chapter nineteen, Francisco dies and Carlo goes to meet his family. Carlo tells us and his family how his love died. I didn’t catch it at first but after a close second reading, I found that Carlo is lying to the family. That may seem wrong but it is actually the right thing to put the family at ease when a loved one has died. The soldier even buries his died boyfriend all by himself. After the burial, Carlo shots himself in the thigh. I don’t know why, but he just did.

Corelli’s Mandolin Pt. 5

This book has gotten too serious for me now. I was about ready to quit the book today.

Pelagia finds a stranger in her kitchen. In fear, Pelagia asks the man to leave and tells him that her father will be back tomorrow. Strangely, the man doesn’t leave. Only after Psipsina, the goat, recognizes him, Pelagia realizes that the man is Mandras. As it turns out, Mandras didn’t write back because he couldn’t read or write. But he kept Pelagia in heart and even prayed to her like a goddess. Yes, she was the reason he survived.

While Mandras was at war, Drosoula, Mandras’ mother, has become to Pelagia. Drosoula sees her son for the first time since the war and is filled with disgust with his appearance. Pelagia is even embarrassed to strip Mandras naked. Why? Mandras’ beauty is gone and Pelagia thinks she doesn’t want to marry anymore. But she and Drosoula clean him up anyway. I am now not interested in Pelagia and Mandras getting married anymore. Later as I read on, Pelagia’s love for Mandras has seemed to have returned. Later, Dr. Iannis returns home and find it smelling bad and Mandras and Drosoula sleeping in his house. Pelagia explains to her father what happened. She is worried he’ll be angry. But as it turns out, the doctor is proud of her work.

But as it turns out, Mandras isn’t happy. He thinks everything is a dream and that he is behind a veil away from his family. He even says death is beautiful and perfect. To me, the love seems to be dying. Then, Mandras tells us how he survived the war. All of chapter twenty-two is a complete lament. The sickest part is the fact that Mandras loses his virginity to a hag while he thinks he was sleeping with Pelagia.

In chapter twenty-three, Mandras is still recovering. He seems to be losing his mind. Mandras claims he committed adultery with the queen and his legs are made of glass. Pelagia reads her letters to Mandras. He forces her to keep reading against her will. The whole part seemed too sour for my taste. But then, Italians have invaded Greece. Chapter twenty-three ends with Pelagia meeting Captain Corelli.

Corelli’s Mandolin Pt. 6

    I am beginning to like the book again. It’s a good thing too. Because I was starting to lose faith in it. War is still the enemy.

Carlo is still sad about his boyfriend’s death. But the sadness stiffs in chapter twenty-four when he meets captain Corelli. The captain is described as a gentle yet mad soul. Carlo evens falls in love with him. But Corelli, as we know, will fall for Pelagia. I just now realized it’s a double love triangle in this book. It all started when Carlo and Corelli stay at Dr. Iannis’ house. As typical protective fathers, the doctor gives Corelli a hard time. The doc seems to hate the soldiers. Iannis scares Corelli so much that the captain turns down Pelagia’s bed. Soon, things become easier. Corelli tells Pelagia about Antonia, his beloved mandolin. I quickly saw the main love triangle taking shape. Pelagia is now caught between Corelli and Mandras.

Meanwhile, Mandras seems well. (I really hope so!) I am also happy to say, that there is still love between Mandras and Pelagia. But the man now wants to go back to war. Later, Pelagia finds Corelli playing his Antonia. He says he wants to be a concert player after the war.

Back in the battle, Mandras joins ELAS because he had no choice. At first I thought he was a prisoner. But after rereading chapter twenty-eight, I found that to be not so. Mandras is forced to beat and killed an old man by his leader, Hector.

Corelli’s Mandolin Pt. 7

The book swings back and forth for me. One minute, I love it, and then, I hate it. My taste just swings back and forth.

Corelli wakes up guilty as usual and he seeks Dr. Iannis for guidance. I don’t have much to say for chapters twenty-nine and thirty. But I will say this, the Good Nazi is Weber. Soon, Pelagia gives Corelli hell around the house because of the Good Nazi. But over time, she becomes nicer to him and even finds the captain attractive. Things look much happier now.

Hector is the alpha male of the ELAS. Mandras even worships him. To me, the guy is bad news and Mandras sees the light and gets away. Meanwhile, Corelli compares Pelagia to innocent little girls in a convent. (Pervert!!!!)

Then, Hector is in trouble with some Brits. It’s official, I HATE Hector!!!!! I hope he dies and I also hope Mandras escapes. Chapter thirty-five is propaganda against fascism. Okay De Bernieres, I get. You hate war, it’s as clear as a bell!

Corelli’s Mandolin Pt. 8

Today’s section was nicely written. I have to say, I am impressed with the novel. I’m still on a swing with it. I have noticed there a good deal of short chapters today.

Chapter thirty-six opens with Hector giving a speech to the ELAS. He really hates the Brits. Mandras and two other nominal leaders are the only people who listen to the wolf in sheep’s clothing. I still think Hector needs to die! Mandras is now a dead man. I hope he sees Hector for what he really is and gets away before it’s too late.

Meanwhile, Corelli hates the anti-fascist pamphlet that is being passed out on the island. (What could I expect? He’s Italian!) The next morning, he awakes with a headache. As it turns out, the man was drunk last night and Pelagia tells him what happened. She says he was out of tune and kissing her feet. The captain is mortified by the whole truth. But he then writes a song called “Pelagia’s March”. Else where, Arsenios, the priest, discovers he has the gift of prophecy. By my judgment, he is still drinking. The man preaches about the island terrible fate after the war. Everyone believes him so much that they give he food and drink. He is even cared for other people. I think he is a scheming rascal. At the end of chapter thirty-eight, it says and I quote, “Arsenios might have become a saint.” I still think he’s a con artist.

Sometime later, Pelagia kisses Corelli and he takes it the wrong way. He thinks she was kissing him out of love. But it was a friendly kiss. The love is getting stronger. Then, Pelagia gets injured and tangled up. Corelli frees her and steals a kiss from her in the process.

In chapter forty-two Corelli compares women to mandolins and muses about Pelagia and his love for her. (Awww! How sweet!) We have learned that his lady hates guns but loves the mandolin. But Corelli is also respectful too. He proves this so by being embarrassed about his flirtation to Pelagia.

Corelli’s Mandolin Pt. 9

The novel is still written beautifully and nicely. I’m torn between Corelli and Mandras. De Bernieres is a pure master. The chapters are shorter again.

Kokolios has gone mad and is a communist. He is torturing Corelli and Dr. Iannis. Pelagia loses both her goat and hope in Corelli. I have realized Psipsina, the goat, symbolizes innocence. When the goat was taken, Pelagia opens her eyes to the war.

Chapter forty-five is just a happy little love chapter about Pelagia and Corelli. I have learned that Corelli has a motorbike. Later, Dr. Iannis writes the history of the island yet again. He counsels Pelagia and reminds her that she is engaged to Mandras. It is clear that she loves Corelli more now. By hearing that she can’t love Corelli, Pelagia is crushed by her father’s words.

The next part had me thinking that Corelli was back at war because he was talking about Pelagia to the soldiers. But then I found that he is still at the house. Weber apologies to Pelagia for stealing Psipsina and she forgives him. Dr. Iannis tells Corelli that Pelagia’s marrying Mandras and her relationship with the captain wouldn’t work. Psipsina comes back again. The war is getting better for the allies and bad for the axis. By the end of the read, I could fully tell that Pelagia fully loves Corelli now.

Corelli’s Mandolin Pt. 10

This was a short section I had to read today. I didn’t have much to draw on. So here goes nothing.

The section started with a list of developments. There are ten of them and they are pretty short. I have learned that the ELAS is a communist group. (Uh oh!) Carlo leaves and says goodbye to Corelli. He sees that the captain loves Pelagia and him. Carlo wishes Corelli well and happiness with Pelagia. As everyone knows with history, the Allies win and the Axis loses. I can also see that Pelagia has fallen out of love with Mandras. (Poor guy) She even worries about Corelli when he goes back to war. The woman has the right to do so because the war looks bad for her boys.

Now, Corelli is back in the war. Later, Pelagia finds Carlo’s papers and Corelli’s mandolin in a hole when she looks for her boys. The good Nazi appears again. Corelli remembers Pelagia as he lies dying in a trench. Carlo dies. (Now he’s with his boyfriend Fransisco.)

Corelli’s Mandolin Final

Alas we are nearing the end. This book is now a soap opera to me. I wanted to slap Pelagia around many times. The love story is completely sappy now. I have a lot of stuff to say. So here goes.

The Germans have invaded the island. As it turns out, Corelli is still alive. Dr. Iannis operates on him. Rest assured, Corelli will live but he will by in pain. (A small price to pay.) But sadly, things look bad as usual. Pelagia starts to feel sorrow and depression. Corelli leaves for battle by sea and his girl is crushed.

Soon, the Germans leave the island. The ELAS is now EAM. Then, disaster strikes. Dr. Iannis is arrested and taken away. Pelagia finds herself alone. She only has Drosoula as a friend. The woman doesn’t love Mandras anymore. Which is bad, because he returns and it isn’t pretty. Mandras has fallen to the darkness. He tortures his former love by making her read the old letters she sent him and tries to rape her. Drosoula comes in and disowns her son. Right then, Mandras finally sees the light. It all just breaks my heart.

Here’s where it just drags on and bores me to death. Pelagia takes in a child and names her Antonia. Dr. Iannis is free again and a doctor. Pelagia thinks Corelli is dead and keeps seeing his ghost. She also gives up on being Greek and pretends to be Italian. She even raised Antonia to speak Italian. Drosoula has a heart attack and things look bad. Dr. Iannis even becomes disillusioned. But then things look better in general. The doctor dies. Pelagia laments on her life and loss. (She’s being a baby about it!)

The times have changed and people are much closer. Pelagia falls depressed. Drosoula and Antonia feel sorry for her at first. Then they get annoyed and try to bring the idiot to her senses. But unfortunately, it fails. Pelagia finally cheers up when she finished her father’s history. Antonia grows up to get married and becomes a communist. She even wants to die young and stay beautiful.

Antonia meets Alexi and marries him. Their relationship reminds Pelagia of her and Mandras when they were young. Lemoni gets married. Drosoula pushes up the daisies in 1972. Pelagia waits for her grandchild. Antonia believes she is old. Pelagia finally has a grandson named Iannis. (Interesting he’s named after her father.) She tells him about Corelli and shows him the past. Iannis grows up to play the mandolin.

At long last, Corelli returns in his seventies. He and Pelagia are reunited. The captain admits he was bitter over the years. Pelagia says she shot Mandras. (Poor guy. I know he deserved it, but still…) It’s a happy ending at last!