Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Berni??res, tries to render a gloomy love story that speaks of the shortcoming of love in a time of war. Captain Corelli's Mandolin was an engaging love story, with an unusual perspective about World War II. The story unfolds as the young men of the town are called up to volunteer to challenge the Italians in Albania . Although they overcome the battle, Italy wins the campaign against Greece and sends in a small occupying army to this little island. Captain Corelli, is an interpreter for the Italian army and the leader of this small Italian contingent in the area.