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 as a conscientious but far from fanatical soldier, whose main aim is to have a peaceful war, he proves in time to be civilised, humourous - and a consummate musician.

When the local doctor's daughter's letters to her fiancé - a member of the underground - go unanswered, 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?

 

 
This was way up at the top of the BBC Big Read list, and as such it'll be a long, long time before I get to read it. It does, however, remain one of the books I'm not entirely attracted to. I don't like war, or reading about it, and so the background of this book isn't something I'd want to read about. Couple that with my dislike of romance, then what is left is a deep apprehension towards the book. I will try it, and give it a chance, but I don't think I'm going to enjoy it much.