Louis de Bernières

Louis de Bernieres

Louis de Bernières (born 8 December 1954) is a British novelist, best known for his historical novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin. He was born in London, England, and has written several novels, short stories, and plays. His works often explore themes of love, war, and the human condition.

Early Life and Education

Louis de Bernières was born in London and grew up in Surrey. He attended Bradfield College and later studied at the Victoria University of Manchester, where he earned a degree in Philosophy. He also trained as a teacher at the Institute of Education in London.

Career

Before becoming a full-time writer, de Bernières held various jobs, including working as a mechanic, a motorcycle messenger, and a teacher. His first novel, The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts, was published in 1990. This book is the first in a trilogy set in a fictional South American country, followed by Señor Vivo and the Coca Lord (1991) and The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman (1992).

Captain Corelli's Mandolin

De Bernières achieved international fame with the publication of Captain Corelli's Mandolin in 1994. The novel is set on the Greek island of Cephalonia during World War II and tells the story of a love affair between an Italian captain and a local Greek woman. The book was later adapted into a film in 2001, starring Nicolas Cage and Penélope Cruz.

Later Works

Following the success of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, de Bernières continued to write novels, including Birds Without Wings (2004), which is set in Turkey during the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and A Partisan's Daughter (2008), which explores the relationship between a middle-aged Englishman and a young Yugoslav woman. His other notable works include Notwithstanding: Stories from an English Village (2009) and The Dust That Falls from Dreams (2015).

Personal Life

Louis de Bernières lives in Norfolk, England. He is known for his love of music and plays several instruments, including the guitar, mandolin, and flute. He has also been involved in various charitable activities and has a keen interest in aviation.

Bibliography

• The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts (1990)
• Señor Vivo and the Coca Lord (1991)
• The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman (1992)
• Captain Corelli's Mandolin (1994)
• Birds Without Wings (2004)
• A Partisan's Daughter (2008)
• Notwithstanding: Stories from an English Village (2009)
• The Dust That Falls from Dreams (2015)
• So Much Life Left Over (2018)

Awards and Honors

Louis de Bernières has received several awards for his literary work, including the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Book in 1995 for Captain Corelli's Mandolin. He was also named one of the Granta Best of Young British Novelists in 1993.

See Also

• British literature
• Historical fiction
• World War II in popular culture