“This recommendation was hand-selected by The Gwenin Exchange team for its alignment with Gwenin’s values of clarity, accessibility, and mindful living.”

At The Gwenin Exchange, we celebrate stories that explore the human spirit, tales that help us reflect on love, loss, and what it means to live with compassion in difficult times. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières is one of those rare novels that does all three, blending humour, heartbreak, and the beauty of connection against the backdrop of war.

Set on the Greek island of Cephallonia during WWII, the story follows Captain Antonio Corelli, an Italian officer with a mandolin and a poet’s heart. When he meets Pelagia, the daughter of the local doctor, what begins as quiet tension grows into an unforgettable story of love defying war, identity, and fate.

This 25th Anniversary Edition comes with a new introduction by the author, a reflection on the enduring power of music, humanity, and hope even in times of division.

Why we love it:

It’s a novel that invites stillness. Through humour, tragedy, and melody, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin reminds us of how creativity, like love, can endure even in chaos, a timeless read for anyone exploring empathy, resilience, and the art of storytelling.

Publisher: Vintage Digital
Length: 560 pages
Themes: Love, war, identity, art, connection

Discover this lyrical journey and reflect on what truly binds us together across conflict, time, and place.

Read via The Gwenin Exchange:

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

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With gratitude,
The Gwenin Exchange Team

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