The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Genre: Historical Fiction
Maturity Level: 1
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Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb….
As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.
What a nice book. Wow, that sound’s awful, calling a book nice, but that’s exactly what it was. And no less sweet for being rather predictable. It’s exactly the sort of book I could picture middle aged women around the country falling in love with. As a younger person I enjoyed the book, but would by no stretch use the word “love.” While the use of written letters as the only story telling device was enchanting and nostalgic, all the characters read like old women, even the men. Still, there was plenty to enjoy.
This is one of the most quotable books I have ever read, especially about books themselves. It’s hard not to love an author who acknowledges our shared love for reading. History mixed beautifully with fiction to create a society that was nearly believable in its eccentricity on an island that, I admit, has captured my imagination. As much as scoffed at the idea of people making pilgrimages to Guernsey as a result of reading this book, it does sound like a lovely place. I’ve always wanted to go to Dover, I suppose it wouldn’t be so hard to squeeze Guernsey in too. I was surprised, though I realized immediately that I shouldn’t have been, when the first concentration camp story made an appearance. Long ago I vowed to never read another after being forced to read Night and spiraling into a month-long depression. While I could have done without them, they did add to the book in an important way. And as much as I would like to forget the Holocaust ever happened, it is vital that we never forget. So I tried not to begrudge the moments when they came. Still, they did hamper my enjoyment.
Overall, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was a book that I would recommend to others, but not one I would stay up all night talking about.
I loved this book!
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I was tickled to see this book review! I agree it’s a not a book I can talk about for hours, but for some reason I found it really lovely.
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Lovely is a good description! I enjoyed it.
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This sounds like a nice charming book. I may have to give it a try.
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This is pretty far outside what I usually read, but a book club I’m part of (the Dewey Decimators) picked it as book of the month. I liked it well enough (the author’s love of books ensured that) but it was all a bit too cutesy for me…I think your description of all the letters sounding like they were written by old ladies pretty much sums it up.
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Haha, thanks.
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I read this during high school at the recommendation of one of my basketball coaches, who also was an English teacher at my school. I remember enjoying it, but it took quite a while for me to finish it.
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Oh my, I laughed out loud at this: “It’s exactly the sort of book I could picture middle aged women around the country falling in love with.” Especially because I am a 40-something who loved this book….and it was recommended to me by my mother! I’m glad you gave it a good review, regardless. For the most part I love historical fiction, and I personally liked the back and forth of the letters. I believe that style of telling a story forces you to use your imagination a little more and fill in the gaps yourself. I thought it a very enjoyable read too. 🙂
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I’m glad I made you laugh! I also found the letter element charming. I found it a refreshing way to hear a story, rather than omniscient third person.
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My youngest niece handed me this the other day after one of her sisters told me I would love the movie. What a delight this book is! I devoured it in two days and before I even finished it, I wanted to start over straightaway and re-read it. I didn’t because I have so much to read, but I don’t think any book has affected me that way. Seeing the movie first and already loving the people (those that could be loved at least) definitely enhanced the enjoyment of the book.
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I’m so glad you loved it! I haven’t watched the movie yet, but I have heard great things. 🙂
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