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**AS SEEN ON BBC BETWEEN THE COVERS**

25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION – WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHOR

‘A true diamond of a novel, glinting with comedy and tragedy’ Daily Mail

It is 1941 and Captain Antonio Corelli, a young Italian officer, is posted to the Greek island of Cephallonia as part of the occupying forces. At first he is ostracised by the locals but over time he proves himself to be civilised, humorous – and a consummate musician.

When Pelagia, the local doctor’s daughter, finds her letters to her fiance go unanswered, Antonio and Pelagia draw close and the working of the eternal triangle seems inevitable. But can this fragile love survive as a war of bestial savagery gets closer and the lines are drawn between invader and defender?

‘Louis de Bernieres is in the direct line that runs through Dickens and Evelyn Waugh…he has only to look into his world, one senses, for it to rush into reality, colours and touch and taste’ Evening Standard

Publisher Review

A wonderful epic novel...it has made him a name to conjure with. Both on the large and the small scale it is an absorbing and memorable book...the sweep, invention and warmth of the novel carries one effortlessly along -- Derwent May * The Times * An emotional, funny, stunning novel which swings with wide smoothnes s between joy and bleakness, personal lives and history...it's lyrical and angry, satirical and earnest * Observer * Stunning... A high-spirited historical romance...remarkable. * New York Times Book Review * A tall tale and a serious work of literature...its reputation suggests that one "should" read it, and so far I would have to agree -- Nigel Rodenhurst * Times Higher Education * A true diamond of a novel, glinting with comedy and tragedy * Daily Mail *