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The Corsican Woman
In 1970, Sybilia, a young woman living on Corsica at the end of World War II, who had fallen in love with an American soldier, discovers a terrible secret about the death of her lover, a discovery that sets the stage for conflict and tragedy.
450 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1988
345 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Madge Swindells
49 books18 followersMADGE SWINDELLS was born and educated in England. As a teenager, she emigrated with her parents to South Africa where she studied archaeology and anthropology at Cape Town University. The author of numerous romance novels, her work has been translated into seven languages and has reached bestseller lists across the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 1, 2014
This is a reread, one I wanted to do for twenty years now!
It is a story, so profound, so heart-stopping, it cannot be forgotten. It is a riveting tale of a young woman being 'sold' into an arrange marriage, forever being removed from her own family and having to start, as well as survive, a life with her new Corsican family on the the other side of the mountains. The Second World War, with the dark period of German occupation, becomes part of her existence and love comes in many disguises from different people, but not always where it is expected.
Sybilla was unusually beautiful. Men reacted in different ways to her. Women envied her. Most did not appreciate her cultured, patient and intelligent conduct in her circumstances.
One afternoon, in the heat of a moment, Sybilla Rocca shoots her father-in-law on the market square. She declared: "I did not murder him, I executed him." Dark treachery and a vendetta lead her to this day and possibly the end of the rest of her life. Everyone in the sea-swept village against the cliffs of Corsica, knew the secret kept hidden amongst the people for twenty two years, but their impassioned culture kept them silent. Most of the stunned audience wanted her dead. Their culture of vendettas demanded her killed. Yet, there were a few 'outsiders' who understood, such as Father Andrews, the Irish-born priest, and Doctor Jock Walters, an American anthropologist. Jock was the only one who could help her, but he first had to understand her history and what lead up to the fateful afternoon in August, 1960.
The prose is simply beautiful. The storyline riveting. The drama intense. The history of the island is detailed, yet no unnecessary information dumping occurs. No one walks away from this book untouched.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO EVERYONE!! This is one book that I never stopped recommending since I have read it the first time. It is a true masterpiece!
It is a story, so profound, so heart-stopping, it cannot be forgotten. It is a riveting tale of a young woman being 'sold' into an arrange marriage, forever being removed from her own family and having to start, as well as survive, a life with her new Corsican family on the the other side of the mountains. The Second World War, with the dark period of German occupation, becomes part of her existence and love comes in many disguises from different people, but not always where it is expected.
Sybilla was unusually beautiful. Men reacted in different ways to her. Women envied her. Most did not appreciate her cultured, patient and intelligent conduct in her circumstances.
One afternoon, in the heat of a moment, Sybilla Rocca shoots her father-in-law on the market square. She declared: "I did not murder him, I executed him." Dark treachery and a vendetta lead her to this day and possibly the end of the rest of her life. Everyone in the sea-swept village against the cliffs of Corsica, knew the secret kept hidden amongst the people for twenty two years, but their impassioned culture kept them silent. Most of the stunned audience wanted her dead. Their culture of vendettas demanded her killed. Yet, there were a few 'outsiders' who understood, such as Father Andrews, the Irish-born priest, and Doctor Jock Walters, an American anthropologist. Jock was the only one who could help her, but he first had to understand her history and what lead up to the fateful afternoon in August, 1960.
The prose is simply beautiful. The storyline riveting. The drama intense. The history of the island is detailed, yet no unnecessary information dumping occurs. No one walks away from this book untouched.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO EVERYONE!! This is one book that I never stopped recommending since I have read it the first time. It is a true masterpiece!
June 21, 2019
Amazing Story
The editing of the book was atrocious! So many typos that at times it was difficult to read...but the story is unforgettable!
The editing of the book was atrocious! So many typos that at times it was difficult to read...but the story is unforgettable!
December 28, 2017
Set during the Second World War life in Corsica was tough for women. When Sybilia married she gave up on so much for a marriage that was doomed from the start.
Sybilia's talents however were recognised very early on as being useful to their resistance and was used to full advantage by them. It however brought her in touch with an American whom she would fall in love with and have a child with. Cast out as a whore by the village mainly encouraged by her father in law who is enraged that the marriage never worked, Sybilia's life is not easy. Her mother in law is her sole companion and support but is under the whiplash hand of her husband. The son has always been afraid of his father and shies away from any contact with Sybilia.
At the end Sybilia is abandoned by her lover whom she waits for in vain for twenty five years. Finding out the truth of what happened gives her the means of vengeance and vengeance she wreaks on the man who ruined her life.
The story was overwhelmingly sad for me. I felt that Sybilia was on the losing side with no support from either her own family or the family she married into (other than her mother in law). Her husband was weak, her father in law overpowering and vicious. Sybilia was caught up in the middle of a narrow minded, insular community and there was no way getting out of that one. Her one passionate love was not to be. However the wealth of historical detail was of immense interest to me. It brought together different elements of the story all together.
Sybilia's talents however were recognised very early on as being useful to their resistance and was used to full advantage by them. It however brought her in touch with an American whom she would fall in love with and have a child with. Cast out as a whore by the village mainly encouraged by her father in law who is enraged that the marriage never worked, Sybilia's life is not easy. Her mother in law is her sole companion and support but is under the whiplash hand of her husband. The son has always been afraid of his father and shies away from any contact with Sybilia.
At the end Sybilia is abandoned by her lover whom she waits for in vain for twenty five years. Finding out the truth of what happened gives her the means of vengeance and vengeance she wreaks on the man who ruined her life.
The story was overwhelmingly sad for me. I felt that Sybilia was on the losing side with no support from either her own family or the family she married into (other than her mother in law). Her husband was weak, her father in law overpowering and vicious. Sybilia was caught up in the middle of a narrow minded, insular community and there was no way getting out of that one. Her one passionate love was not to be. However the wealth of historical detail was of immense interest to me. It brought together different elements of the story all together.
June 27, 2022
What an amazing and compelling story about Corsica, the place, the people, and the complex, passionate, and sensual culture. Sybilia Rocca, the protagonist of this tale, is wronged on so many levels by so many people, but she is strong, and she makes the best of it until WWII and true love find her. This book is so many things: a story of love, war, justice, and betrayal, but most of all it is top notch historical fiction that revolves around a mystery. Don’t let the cheesy romance novel cover of this book fool you. The Corsican woman is so much more than that. Do yourself a favor and read it to find out more. Allow yourself to be transported to the village of Taita in Corsica. You will not be able to put this one down. It is a real page turner, and I highly recommend it!
February 10, 2019
A good War story of love and betrayal
I enjoyed this story. It kept me interested and I especially liked learning about the island of Corisca. The characters are well developed and believable. I also liked learning more about World War ll and the fighting in places I had not known were invaded. What I did not like was the many type errors. There were a lot and it interfered with the flow of the story.
I enjoyed this story. It kept me interested and I especially liked learning about the island of Corisca. The characters are well developed and believable. I also liked learning more about World War ll and the fighting in places I had not known were invaded. What I did not like was the many type errors. There were a lot and it interfered with the flow of the story.
December 3, 2018
Worth the effort?
This story was gripping, which is why I continued with it to the ending. The typographical errors, however, caused great frustration. There were times I had no idea what a particular word might be. Had I know how poorly edited the writing was, I would not have started.
This story was gripping, which is why I continued with it to the ending. The typographical errors, however, caused great frustration. There were times I had no idea what a particular word might be. Had I know how poorly edited the writing was, I would not have started.
January 1, 2019
An amazing insight into the history of Corsica.
Strong, very interesting characters with fast pace story. Very beautifully written with good descriptive passages on the villages and terrain of Corsica. My reason for not giving it 5 stars is that the editing was very poorly done with hundreds of typing mistakes that continuously annoyed me. Not good enough.
Strong, very interesting characters with fast pace story. Very beautifully written with good descriptive passages on the villages and terrain of Corsica. My reason for not giving it 5 stars is that the editing was very poorly done with hundreds of typing mistakes that continuously annoyed me. Not good enough.
October 11, 2014
When an American soldier in World War II falls in love with a beautiful Corsican girl, he promises to return for her. Thirty years pass, and Sybilia suddenly discovers that her soldier never made it off Corsica alive--and is gripped by a terrible need for vengeance!
September 19, 2018
Good book!
This book was very good and very intriguing as I have never really thought about the culture in Corsica. Now I want to learn more.
This book was very good and very intriguing as I have never really thought about the culture in Corsica. Now I want to learn more.
September 18, 2019
Συγκινητική ιστορία μίας γυναίκας που τίποτα ποτέ δεν της χαρίστηκε.
December 20, 2018
Fabulous book set in Corsica. The story enters in rural Corsica before wwii when a 16 year old girl is wrenched out of school and sent to another hilltop village to marry the son of the most powerful man in the region. Not only is her father in law a mean and sadistic man but her husband has homosexual tendencies and mother in law is the local seer and considered a crazy lady. Despite what she is handed with Sybilia manages to thrive in a backwards and stunted environment. As war with the Germans and Italians seems inevitable, she takes on the role of a spy in nazi headquarters and relays back what she hears to the resistance movement. This is an incredible story and one can only shake a head at the culture of Corsica at the beginning of the 20th century. Vendetta is Alive and well as is honour and sacrifice no matter what. Poor sybilia has chances at love but they are cruelly jerked from her grasp.
The end of the book is satisfying with karma and retribution.
On a publishing note ocr scanning of this book does not appear to have been spell checked. It is littered with grammatical and typo errors. And I mean littered.
The end of the book is satisfying with karma and retribution.
On a publishing note ocr scanning of this book does not appear to have been spell checked. It is littered with grammatical and typo errors. And I mean littered.
January 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and it kept me hooked right to the end. The Corsican Woman is about love, betrayal, war and loss, but it is so much more.
This book is set mostly during the 2WW and gives a startling insight into how the island was managed by the male clan leaders of the various regions. Vendettas were the way to resolve conflict between individuals, families and villages. The catholic church could only stand back and watch. It had no power to mediate or protect the innocent. Prior to reading this book I knew nothing about the island of Corsica, the culture or the plight of women born there.
One thing that did bother me was the many typographical errors and normally I would reflect this in my rating of the book, however, the story was so interesting and eye opening that I decided to ignore this aspect. I can highly recommend this book.
This book is set mostly during the 2WW and gives a startling insight into how the island was managed by the male clan leaders of the various regions. Vendettas were the way to resolve conflict between individuals, families and villages. The catholic church could only stand back and watch. It had no power to mediate or protect the innocent. Prior to reading this book I knew nothing about the island of Corsica, the culture or the plight of women born there.
One thing that did bother me was the many typographical errors and normally I would reflect this in my rating of the book, however, the story was so interesting and eye opening that I decided to ignore this aspect. I can highly recommend this book.
November 25, 2017
Sybilia a young Corsican girl was forced into marriage at 16 to the son of the powerful Xavier Rocca. The marriage is not a happy one and Sybilia is dominated by her cruel father in law and so is not upset when her husband dies. With the war and German occupation comes Robin the an American soldier and the love of her life, but one day he disappears without a word leaving her pregnant and alone in a deeply Catholic conservative country...... but how much did her father in law know about this!
A great historical novel and I found the culture and times of Corsica with its religion and vendettas fascinating.
A great historical novel and I found the culture and times of Corsica with its religion and vendettas fascinating.
October 16, 2019
The story was excellent. Madge Swindells is a really good writer but if I was her I would be very upset at the appalling Kindle edition text. There are so many typos and punctuation errors I think I spent more time highlighting and reporting them than I did actually reading the text!
Good story premise with a surprising twist that I didn't see coming towards the end. Poor Sybilia, what a dreadful life she led/had forced upon her. It has prompted an interest in Corsica and its history though, which I shall pursue.
Good story premise with a surprising twist that I didn't see coming towards the end. Poor Sybilia, what a dreadful life she led/had forced upon her. It has prompted an interest in Corsica and its history though, which I shall pursue.
June 22, 2021
Several storylines but all center around a woman married by tradition on Corsica around WWII.
I knew nothing about Corsica before reading this book. I learned a LOT and it was very interesting.
The book details her life but also delves into how Corsicans fended off invasion with very few numbers of villagers against more organized invaders. The Corsican culture is very much a part of the novel.
I highly recommend it.
I knew nothing about Corsica before reading this book. I learned a LOT and it was very interesting.
The book details her life but also delves into how Corsicans fended off invasion with very few numbers of villagers against more organized invaders. The Corsican culture is very much a part of the novel.
I highly recommend it.
October 10, 2020
Great read with strong characters
Enjoyed this book right to the last page, loved all the characters could picture them in my mind vividly. Enjoy all novels written by Madge, every book is different n thank goodness not mushy romances but real life n death people. Only one complaint lots of typo errors. 😊😊
Enjoyed this book right to the last page, loved all the characters could picture them in my mind vividly. Enjoy all novels written by Madge, every book is different n thank goodness not mushy romances but real life n death people. Only one complaint lots of typo errors. 😊😊
August 14, 2022
Corsica
Sybilia had an arranged marriage to the son of a Corsican big shot however the marriage was never consummated as her husband preferred men. She helped out with household duties and fell in love with a man in the armed forces but her father in law wasn't happy and got the villagers on side . .
Sybilia had an arranged marriage to the son of a Corsican big shot however the marriage was never consummated as her husband preferred men. She helped out with household duties and fell in love with a man in the armed forces but her father in law wasn't happy and got the villagers on side . .
February 24, 2019
I enjoyed this book. Sybilia was such a strong character. I would have given the book 5 stars but there was some excessive language in parts and unnecessarily detailed descriptions of love life that I could have done without. Overall, this was a great historical fiction.
March 30, 2023
A week written and told story that spans 22 years and follows the story of one corsican woman and those around her depicting the traditions and believes in Corsica pre , during and post world war two and how the impact of this governed unfairly one particular woman's life
January 3, 2026
I am not sure how I felt about this book. I know a Corsican man who is just like the father in the story and has his wife waiting on him hand and foot. The story was set during the second world war and beyond. I think it is worth reading.
December 26, 2018
Wonderful book.Wonderful story
This book reflected the passionate spirit of Corsica.
I do wish the proof reading was better. Too many mistakes.
Extremely well written.
This book reflected the passionate spirit of Corsica.
I do wish the proof reading was better. Too many mistakes.
Extremely well written.
November 15, 2019
NICE TITLE.
February 6, 2020
read it years ago highly reccomended
September 5, 2020
To sum it up, the majority of reviewers deducted a star or two for poor editing and a few typos. Seems a bit unfair as the story itself was a five star for me.
March 19, 2021
At first, I didn't think it would be good. But the further into the story I got, the more I loved it. This would make a great movie. Historic. Great scenery. Memorable characters.
March 5, 2024
The Corsican Woman
I read this fantastic book many years ago,I enjoyed it just as much the second time.A wonderful read. Probably read it again, in a few years time.
I read this fantastic book many years ago,I enjoyed it just as much the second time.A wonderful read. Probably read it again, in a few years time.
March 28, 2024
I loved this story. It was very engaging, but the book was filled with grammatical errors.
July 8, 2025
Breathtaking!
A must read! A well written and informative story of a culture most know nothing about. I felt the pain, pride and confusion of the characters.
A must read! A well written and informative story of a culture most know nothing about. I felt the pain, pride and confusion of the characters.
July 13, 2025
A book a bit different - not your usual boy meets girl etc. yes there were spelling errors which spoilt it a bit for me as I started looking for and noting them but it didn’t detract from the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2025
Such an insight to an amazing island very compelling reading
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews