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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel
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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel
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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel
Audiobook8 hours

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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About this audiobook

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers." 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.


Read by Paul Boehmer, Susan Duerden, Rosalyn Landor, John Lee, and Juliet Mills


From the Compact Disc edition.

Editor's Note

Quirky bonds…

The mouthful of a title gives you a gist of the quirkiness that awaits you in this World War II epistolary novel. The residents of post-German occupation Guernsey bond through books, which is, of course, the best way to bond.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJul 29, 2008
ISBN9780739368442
Unavailable
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel
Author

Annie Barrows

Annie Barrows is a middle-aged lady who doesn’t talk very much, which is why none of the kids who hang out in her house noticed that she was writing down everything they said. She’s like a ninja, except she’s never killed anyone. Okay, okay, she’s also the author of the Ivy + Bean books—remember them? They were fun!—and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. All of which were New York Times bestsellers, if you care about that kind of thing. www.anniebarrows.com

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Rating: 4.1845838610418875 out of 5 stars
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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A very charming book that tells an moving story through the exchange of letters. A return to the days of written correspondence, with properly spelled out words, as well as wit. As a background we have the story of the German/Nazi occupation of the Channel islands during WW2, with history and infoIi had never read about before! Always love when a good read also educates! This is a very quick and easy, light read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Written in epistolary format, the history of the Channel Islands before, during, and after the German Occupation is acquired by a writer named Juliet Ashton. Juliet becomes interested in Guernsey and its inhabitants when she receives a letter from farmer, Dawsey Adams requesting a favor of her. The correspondence continues with questions on both sides and then broadens to involve more and more residence of the island. Right from the first letter, I knew I was going to enjoy this novel. I didn't know if I was going to devour it or hold back somewhat in order to savor it. I ended up slowing down (thanks to the Olympics) and soaking up each and every word; it allowed me the privilege of staying with these people just a little while longer.The book contains a well-rounded, distinct cast, descriptive scenery, and life - the good and the bad. They are all tied together with deep purpose and emotion. I loved the wit that Juliet would interject into her letters, producing a huge grin from me every time and the sincere, heart-felt words from all writing participants. Ultimately, a desire to know more transcended all three elements. What a delightful book! (4.5/5)Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy...
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A British author in search of a topic for her next book strikes up a correspondence with a group of book-loving friends on the island of Guernsey.I love epistolary novels. I love the way they give us these beautiful, tantalizing fragments of the characters' lives. I love the way they layer piece upon piece, slowly but surely revealing the full story. I love how they allow us to fill in the gaps for ourselves. I love what they leave unsaid. And, most of all, I love the way they surprise us. There may be hints of what's to come, just as there are in real life, but the best epistolary novels don't really foreshadow. They let us live the story along with the characters. We encounter each new twist just as they do. Their reactions become our own.THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY is a very good epistolary novel. You know those British indie films about tight-knit small towns filled with eccentric yet loveable villagers? The ones where the characters all know each other so well that all their experiences are wound together into a tight little knot? This is one of those films, except for the part where it's a book. It's a celebration of people, of words, and of the endurance of the human spirit (if you'll forgive me a cliche or two). It warmed the cockles of my heart, and I don't doubt it'll do the same with yours.That's not to say that it's an entirely pleasant novel. This is a post-war story, and the Society members did not emerge from the conflict unscathed. They've spent five years in isolation, and they've lost friends and family to the German occupation. I found many of their stories heartwrenching, and I shed more than a few tears before the novel was done.I highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in this period in history or a fondness for epistolary novels.(A slightly different version of this review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina).
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    I heard such great reviews about the book and the movie that I requested it through my inter-library loan program. That was a bad mistake. This is a book about letters. I don't care for that. I tried my best to get into the book, but I kept thinking "when is this going to get interesting?" I almost made it to the half-way point before I gave up. I'm sure that this book is truly worthy of praise, but only if you 're the type of reader who gushes over letters. But if you're like me, you need a story with a beginning, an end, and interesting middle. Also needed: a plot, a lot of twists and turns, excellent characters, and dynamite dialogue.

    So I'm afraid that I have failed to provide an excellent review because I did not find anything to gush over. I'm just relieved to be able to move on from this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    If I had started writing this review up to two-third’s into the book, this review would have been a gushing, over-the-moon, ‘I am in love with this book’ kind of review. By the time I finished the book, I lost some of that enthusiasm, even though I am still quite enthralled by it.The time is just after WWII in London and in Guernsey, the Channel Islands. Folks were still recovering from the lost, the suffering, and even the hunger of the war. England is still under the ration system, for everything from food to clothing to shoes. Juliet Ashton’s war time columns have just been published into a successful book. Dawsey Adams, a resident of Guernsey, happened upon an old book of Juliet’s with her address – the writings of Charles Lamb and decided to write to Juliet, inquiring about a connection to a bookstore to acquire more of Lamb’s books. So begins this tale that provides a magical journey of books, reading, friendship between Londoners and Guernsey Islanders, war time and post-war time experiences, and finally, love. This book is presented entirely in letters, no narration, no real-time action. Immediately, I was completely drawn to the charm of that missing art of letter writing. When reading the words, I also find my thoughts faking a British accent and the enthusiasm of the lovely Juliet. It’s unavoidable! The letters-only approach provided many advantages in this story. Timeline, location, and who-said-what-to-whom are easily tracked. Viewpoints of different individuals (Guernsey residents writing to Juliet) offer seemingly random thoughts, but as letters, I, the reader, do not expect explicit connections from one viewpoint to the next. This is particularly important when offering different war time and post war stories. Timeline, people, and events are not required to align. And yet, I comprehend how these bits and pieces fit into the whole. Part One of the book is before Juliet arrived in Guernsey where it was the ‘discovery’ process of Guernsey, their eclectic and kind-hearted residents. I liked this part the best. Part Two is Juliet’s time in Guernsey, and this part is a bit flatter as it’s mostly Juliet writing to her editor and friends. It felt more ‘reporting’, less dynamic, more passive. Even so, I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone. May the salt air and breeze of the Channel Islands charm you also.Quotes:On book sellers – OMG, I can’t wait to show this to the owner of my local bookstore!“I love seeing the bookshops and meeting the booksellers – booksellers really are a special breed. No one in their right mind would take up clerking in a bookstore for the salary, and no one in his right mind would want to own one – the margin of profit is too small. So, it has to be a love of readers and reading that makes them do it – along with first dibs on the new books.”On book club – Imaging sharing one of each book for book club! From Amelia Maugery: “…we took turns speaking about the books we’d read. At the start, we tried to be cam and objective, but that soon fell away, and the purpose of the speakers was to goad the listeners into wanting to read the book themselves. Once two members had red the same book, they could argue, which was our great delight. We read books, talked books, argued over books, and became dearer and dearer to one another. Other Islanders asked to join us, and our evenings together became bright, lively times – we could almost forget, now and then, the darkness outside…”On books – I think this is mostly true:From Isola Pribby: “…Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad books.” On dating the enemy – This is almost eye-opening:From Dawsey Adams: “…But some of the girls who date soldiers gave the cigarettes to their fathers and the bread to their families. They would come home from parties with rolls, pates, fruit, meat patties, and jellies stuffed in their purses, and their families would have a full meal the next day.”On soul, religion, and ego – I kind of laughed at these passages:From Will Thisbee: Quoting Thomas Carlyle from ‘Past and Present’, “Does it ever give thee pause, that men used to have a soul – not by hearsay alone, or as a figure of speech; but as a truth that they knew, and acted upon! Verily it was another world then… but yet it is a pity we have lost the tidings of our souls… we shall have to go in search of them again, or worse in all ways shall befall us.”“Isn’t that something – to know your own soul by hearsay, instead of its own tidings? Why should I let a preacher tell me if I had one or not? If I could believe I had a soul, all by myself, then I could listen to its tidings all by myself.”From Thompson Stubbins: “Did any of you ever think that along about the time the notion of a SOUL gave out, Freud popped up with the EGO to take its place? The timing of the man! Did he not pause to reflect? Irresponsible old coot! It is my belief that men must spout this twaddle about egos, because they fear they have no soul! Think upon it!”
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It took a few pages to get used to the style, the entire book is told in letters between the characters, which allowed the story to be told in every character's voice. The story was charming, funny, cute but yet with the background history of the German occupation along with their more than fair share of horrors. However that part of the story is in its history therefore all the letter writers are survivors. Elizabeth is the main character who ventures to Guernsey to write their story, gets sucked into the charm and little by little gives up her London city life for quaint island life.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Thoroughly enjoyable and heart warming novel of the German Occupation of Guernsey in WWII. Uniquely told through a series of letters, the author finds a way to make her characters come alive. We learn a lot about the privations the islanders suffer, told with a balanced narrative, humour and wistfulness. A book to be treasured, even with a happy ending.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is perhaps the most epistolary novel I've ever read. It consists almost entirely of letters between a young writer living in London, her friends, and a cast of assorted and eccentric characters living and reading on the small island of Guernsey (between England and France). It's set right after World War Two, and through the letters friendships grow and the story of the German occupation of the Channel Islands emerges.I found this book charming. Despite its setting in the aftermath of war and tragedy, it's light and funny, with odd, appealing characters and some ridiculous situations. The epistolary style of course allows for a lot of play with voice and character, and it also communicates some of the differences between then and now. Would any of us dream of sending a letter to ask someone to dinner that evening? Or of two more letters being exchanged before the dinner goes forward? It's little details like that, and the high cost of undamaged phones in post-Blitz London, that easily transport us to the past.Notes on the audiobook edition: Having multiple narrators doing several accents really pays off here (though at least one accent was fairly laughable.) The audiobook's main fault, in my opinion, lies in the chief narrator, performing the protagonist Juliet Ashton's letters. Her performance is overdone, taking a character who should be effortlessly charming into the territory of the self-consciously twee. I liked Juliet in spite of her.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is an engaging book full of delightful characters. The historical setting plays a key role, and it was interesting to learn a bit about the place and time. I barely knew where Guernsey was before reading this book, let alone that the Germans occupied it during WW II. TGL&PPPS is a quick, enjoyable read and I think you'll find it worth your time.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was such an enchanting book and I loved it. There were some powerful, moving parts throughout book but overall it was witty, warm and delightful. Before starting this book I knew absolutely nothing about the island of Guernsey and how the the occupation of the Nazis during WW2 impacted it. I thought the letter format was clever and I found myself really caring about the characters. A wonderful story!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    When our rep from Random House visited the store last month, she said that anyone who read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society would want to talk to someone about it. If she also said that we shouldn’t be fooled by the title–it’s not a fluffy book about Southern ladies baking crazy pies and gossiping in their kitchens a la The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood–she would have been right on both counts.Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows’s wonderful new novel takes place in 1946 in postwar London and is written as a series of letters between Juliet Ashton, a London-based writer, and the members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The story begins when Juliet receives a letter from Dawsey Adams, a gentleman from Guernsey, a small island in the Channel Islands, who writes to tell her that he has found a book she once owned and would like more information about its author but has not had any luck in Guernsey, as it was cut off from all outside communication during the German Occupation.As their correspondence develops, Dawsey tells Juliet that he is a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a group that was originally invented “as a ruse to keep the Germans from arresting” a group of friends walking home from a secret dinner party past curfew. Juliet is captivated by Dawsey’s stories about life on Guernsey during the Occupation and his descriptions of the ways in which membership in the Society helped and changed those who attended, and she requests correspondence from any other members who are willing to share their experiences with her. Unexpectedly, Juliet receives letters from almost all of them, including Isola Pribby (my favorite), whose zest for life and colorfulness jump off the page; Amelia Maugery, the nurturer of the group who watches over its members and provides helpful guidance; Eben Ramsey, who is raising his orphaned grandson Eli; and four-year-old Kit McKenna, whose mother Elizabeth was responsible for inventing the society and saving her friends from persecution under the Germans.As Shaffer and Barrows develop this beautiful epistolary novel, the reader begins to notice, along with Juliet Ashton, that Elizabeth McKenna features prominently in many of the Society members’ stories, and though she cannot contribute letters of her own–she was sent to a prison camp for hiding a slave and has not been heard from since–her presence is felt as fully as if she were there. When she travels to Guernsey, Juliet falls in love with the island and its people and discovers unexpected love and unconditional friendship that make the story even richer and her part in it more real.I loved this book with a capital L! I couldn’t put it down because I found myself missing the characters and wondering what we were going to learn next. The Society members’ descriptions of each other in their letters are wonderfully vivid, and the characters’ voices are so authentic and well-defined that their letters leave us feeling like that we know them and would recognize them walking down the street. I haven’t enjoyed an epistolary novel this much since The Color Purple, and that’s saying something. The letters help the story progress at a pace that resembles the comfortableness of life on Guernsey and leave the reader ready to run to the mailbox in hopes that there’s something equally delightful waiting for her.An extra treat in this wonderful book is that the authors are clearly booklovers who understand what it means to value and love and be changed by books, and they allow the characters to give voice to these feelings. Very early in her correspondence with Dawsey, Juliet muses that “Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”What could be more perfect? Haven’t we all had that sense that a certain book was sent to us at a very particular point in time? Amelia Maugery writes of the beginning of the Society and how “those who had rarely read anything other than the Scriptures, seed catalogues, and The Pigman’s Gazette discovered a different sort of reading,” and Eben Ramsey tells her, “We clung to books and to our friends; they reminded us that we had another part to us.”Readers who enjoyed Cold Sassy Tree and its charming small-town characters will especially enjoy this selection. I feel privileged to have encountered this gem of a book, and I can’t wait to see it fly off shelves later this month. To paraphrase Dawsey Adams, I’ll close by saying simply that the writings of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’s members have made me their friend, and it’s a friendship I’ll treasure for a long time to come.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Simply wonderful. A story of love and the joy of books transcending the bleakness of the world during difficult times. Very well written, told through letters and notes, rich in characters and shining with waht is best in humanity.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    One of the best books I have ever read!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I needed something light to read, in between the huge selection of dark books I've currently assigned myself for an upcoming book talk. A patron came in to the library looking for this, and I found two copies--I snatched the other one up!
    I'd heard, in the past, that this was a great book, but I had no idea how great! It was absolutely DELIGHTFUL!!! The writing was perfect, the style and flow of the book was adorable, and every character made my heart smile! There were some laugh-out-loud moments, some sad moments, and some moments that really ticked me off.
    A bonus: I had never known anything, before, about the Occupation.... this has spurred an interest in me and awoken the researcher in me. I'm anxious to learn more!!!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Fun characters. Enjoyable story.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I picked this up at a used bookstore because the title piqued my interest. (I needed to know how to make said pie; it sounded quite interesting.) What I found inside the covers was a quick, delightful read.I have read several books written in the style of letters sent between characters, but this had to be the best. It never skipped a beat. In fact, it skipped over all the superfluous fluff and focused on the essential pieces of the story.The characters were individualistic while still meshing together well. It reminded me of my days in Art School with all the weirdos living in our own, creative community with a few snotty fashion/interior designers thrown in (all of whom we ignored because this was our turf!).Juliet Ashton was, hands-down, my favorite character. She was funny and facetious in many of her letters, but genuine and good-hearted.I also enjoyed the mystery of Elizabeth McKenna and how she was kept throughout the story without actually being in it. I was saddened when they discovered what happened to her, yet pleased at the same time (not about what happened, but the fact that it wasn't one of those everything-is-great-in-the-end stories...although it kind of was anyway, now that I think of it.)If I had to choose something to complain about it would be the quick romance that seemed a little tossed in at the end. But I can't complain too much because I'm not one for a lot of romance, so saving it for the end was perfect. Again, it avoided all that fluff of will-they, won't-they that always frustrates me. (Just kiss already and be done with it! Yeesh!)Overall, I loved this little book and want to start my own Literary Society. Perhaps even move to Guernsey.Oh, and if you're wondering, there isn't an actual recipe for the pie in the book, although the ingredients are mentioned.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This well-loved novel has some features that are indeed endearing and a treasure to read. But the things that bothered me regarding late revelations about characters keep it from being a five-star read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    What a fun book! I really wanted this to be a true story. I enjoyed the characters so much (even the characters I didn't like). I picked it up Sunday morning, and didn't put it down until I was done.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This one has been on my shelf forever. It took a bit for me to get into the story with it being in all letter form. Overall I really enjoyed the story and loved the characters. This one should be interesting in movie form. Can’t wait. 4⭐️
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I liked the story and how it was written but it was pretty slow. I wish there had been a little bit more of Dawsey and Juliet. Even though there love story was minimal I feel it was more of a love story between Juliet and Guernsey more than anything. She falls in love with the town and people while finding true happiness there. There were some sad moments but that is to be expected with a book about that time period. I recommend it if you like historical fiction!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I absolutely loved this book - it was charming and thoughtful and made me want to travel to Guernsey and spend some time with its residents. I was put off by the title and found the first few pages to be on the fluffy side, but once I got into the story, I didn't want it to end. I would love to know what happens next!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Everyone was sickly from so little nourishment and bleak from wondering if it would ever end. We clung to books and to our friends; they reminded us that we had another part to us.World War II has passed. Juliet, a writer in London, is in need of an idea for her next book. Perhaps the key to what she needs can be found with a hodgepodge of book club members on the island of Guernsey in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by authors Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.So. Did I read this book on account of the recent release of its corresponding film? Yes. And no.It wasn't the film that brought the novel's existence to my attention. A copy of the novel had been sitting on my bookshelf for years. Once the film released, I was intrigued enough by the looks of it to want to watch it. But not before I read the book.First things first, you know.Having also read The Book Thief earlier this year, this is the second novel I've recently read with the intertwined themes of the blessing of literature and the horror of WWII. Also, being a writer myself, I love running across novels and movies about writers.Now, I didn't fall in love with this book. Admittedly, stories told by way of characters' written correspondence isn't the easiest sell for me. Though it allows for some nifty plot development, it does make me feel as if I'm reading bits "about" a story instead of reading the story itself, and my interest flowed in and out during the mishmash of bits here. While I admired Juliet during a moment involving a gift of wood, I didn't exactly come to feel more than calm indifference for her altogether. I tend not to love a story if I'm not all that into the main character.Even so, some of the cleverness, irony, and quirky characterizations in the novel reminded me of reading L.M. Montgomery's writing, with which I've had an...interesting relationship, over the years. And the bibliophile in me could still recognize why many others do love this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Juliet Ashton is an up-and-coming young author in London in 1946, and the scars of the recent war are still evident in both the ruins of cities and landscapes as well as people's physical and psychological injuries. One day she receives a letter from a pig farmer on Guernsey who's acquired a book that once belonged to her, and has decided to write to find out how to order more books by and about the author; he is a member of the titular literary society. Over weeks, other members of the society get in touch with Juliet to tell her about their experiences of island life, especially during the German occupation, and life-long friendships are forged.I first heard about the book before the film was released in the spring, liked the look of the trailer, and had decided to borrow the book from the library at some point. Imagine my surprise when I spotted a copy in our local village hall, which has a free exchange library; maybe it is true that 'there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers', as Juliet writes.I was expecting a light read and while it is that, it is also so much more, completely exceeding my expectations. The characters are brought so vividly to life that I occasionally had to remind myself they weren't real people for whom I felt and wept. It is delightfully witty and quirky, but also profound and thoughtful in places, and the characters and depiction of the hardships faced during the inter-war years describe both the best and the worst humankind is capable of. I felt I had to deduct half a star because a plot development towards the end of the book, one that acts as a trigger to bring about the desired resolution, felt somewhat contrived, but the pages flew by and I was sad when I reached the end. Recommended.It will be interesting to compare the book with the film when it comes out on DVD later this month.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    ‘’Real dyed-in-the-wool readers can’t lie. Our faces always give us away. A raised brow or a curled lip means that it’s a poor excuse for a book, and the clever customers ask for recommendation instead, whereupon we frog-march them over to a particular volume and command them to read it.’’Following an exciting April, I chose to start May with a focus on more contemporary, approachable reads that are simple but rich in themes focusing on the relationships within a family, within the members of small communities. One of these choices was a a book with the striking title The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Now, this work and yours truly have been through a stormy relationship. Ever since it came out, I’ve included it in my list only to dismiss it again and again. It just didn’t look like something I’d choose to read. However, I recently watched a documentary about the Channel Islands and I took it as a sign. And I am very happy to tell you that it is a delightful, meaningful novel.Even though I’m not an admirer of novels written in the epistolary form, this is the kind of book that benefits from the style. It protects the reader from awkward dialogue and repetition. So. The story in a nutshell. Juliet is a rather successful writer who desires to finally write something that will be fulfilling to her aspirations. A letter of chance by Dawsey, a resident of Guernsey, brings the literary society with the astonishing name and the special background to her attention and what was meant to be a simple research becomes a journey of self-discovery.I love the way the setting and the era come alive through the pages of this book. We are in 1946 and the island is trying to recover from the consequences of the German occupation. Juliet is going through a similar situation. She fights against dark memories, against prejudices and discriminations and bossy men who think she is incapable of producing a serious work just because she is a woman.The islanders want to be taken seriously. They’re not there to be laughed at or to be pitied. So, Juliet and Guernsey have much in common. Their thoughts and feelings are vividly shown and the reader has the chance to feel a part of both stories.‘’The bright day is done and we are for the dark’’Anthony and Cleopatra, William Shakespeare I appreciated the way Shaffer chose to focus on human relationships. People so different and yet so similar, brought together by the primal need to survive and the unique love for reading. A society that starts as an excuse to fool the Kommandantur becomes a haven, a shelter for the islanders who derive strength from heroes and heroines of tales. Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, The Secret Garden, The Bronte sisters, Dickens, Wilkie Collins, the Bell siblings and, naturally, the One, the Greatest of the greats. William Shakespeare. The process of how people who had little to no association with books become dedicated readers was a joy to witness. And the fights, the antagonist, the passions that are inevitable in a small community where tensions have amounted for too long are always exciting…I didn’t believe that in an epistolary novel there would be space enough for the characters to develop but I was wrong. We have the sympathetic ones and those who suffocate the others because of their beliefs and their ego. And, of course, we have Juliet who is such a fascinating heroine, full of life and endless determination. I loved her from the very first letter. So, if character development is one of your concerns regarding this novel, fear not. You will come to know quite a few exciting people, you will love them while others will give you some trouble. Just as in real life.I didn’t come to think of this novel as a ‘’feel-good’’ story. What is this term, anyway? For me, there aren’t ‘’feel good’’ or ‘’feel bad’’ stories. There are well-written stories and badly written ones and many times, the most poignant tales are the ones that spring from togetherness and coincidences. They are told in a simple manner, in beautiful, quirky and sometimes sad prose. What could be more memorable than that? No pseudo-philosophical gimmicks or cheap sentimentalism but reality. ...plus there’s a plethora of references to Wuthering Heights and yes, I’m completely biased..‘’I didn’t like Wuthering Heights at first, but the minute that spectre Cathy scratched her bony fingers on the windowpane- I was grasped by the throat and not let go. With that Emily I could hear Heathcliff's pitiful cries upon the moors.’’
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Delightful light reading about ordinary people in Guernsey who survived the German occupation during World War 2. And, in addition to the beautiful writing, there is the back-story of the author publishing her first book in her late 60's and dying before seeing its enormous success.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Gah! I never wanted this book to end! It was an adorable, cozy read from start to finish and I LOVED the characters and the witty writing style of Juliet. Told through a series of letters, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, tells the story of a small island off the coast of England and how the islanders survived German occupation during World War II by forming a very unconventional literary society. Juliet is an author and Londoner whose wartime editorials have just been published into a popular book. While she is being celebrated around England she starts an odd and charming pen-pal relationship with a Guernsey islander and before long, she's writing to half the island. In no time at all she's found her inspiration for her next novel, in these odd, resilient, totally bonkers islanders. Cute, heartfelt, moving, wonderful, beautiful. I cannot wait to watch the movie adaptation!!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    An epistolary novel set in 1946 and follows the interactions of author Juliet Ashton with her dear friends in Britain and new acquaintances on the island of Guernsey who are members of the titular society.I know I'm spectacularly late to this novel and I chalk it entirely up to a case of being stubborn and skipping the book back when it was fantastically popular on LT a few years ago. Of course, the only person that punished was me. Utterly charming from the first page, I fell in love with these characters immediately. Beautifully written and effectively creating a sense of the reality of living in Britain in the wake of the end of the war. Highly recommended, particularly if like me you've ignored it due solely to its own popularity.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I struck gold because I didn't think I'd fall so deeply in love with a book so quickly after finishing up The American Way of Death Revisited but then along cameThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows & Mary Ann Shaffer. GUYS. This book was a joy to read from start to finish. I gobbled it up in 2 days and then felt absolutely bereft when it was over. If you enjoyed 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (this is the reason I picked it up) then you will love this book too. Told in letters and telegrams this is the story of a group of people living in a small town in the Channel Islands called Guernsey and their interactions with a Londoner (and writer) named Juliet. Juliet had made her name (except it was actually not her name but a pen name) writing a popular humor column during WWII but at its close (and the beginning of our story) we find her in a bit of a writing rut and looking for her next challenge. This is when she receives a letter from a man in Guernsey who has found a book about Charles Lamb with her name written inside the front cover. This is the beginning of her interest in the place, its people, and its creation of a literary society which saw them through the war and their occupation by German soldiers. While it starts with correspondence between Juliet and Dawsey (the man with the book) it soon blossoms into back-and-forth communication with the other members of the Society (and a few Islanders hellbent on its dissolution). A common thread runs through much of their remembrances of the occupation and the start of the Society and it seems to center around Elizabeth McKenna who while not an Islander came to play a pivotal role in so many of their lives. There were quite a few "WHOA" and "THAT explains it!" moments while reading this book (as well as quite a few tears I ain't gonna lie). I think it's impossible not to fall in love with this book and its characters. 10/10 and absolutely gutted there won't be more books written by Shaffer in the future.PS Someone informed me they adapted this for film and I AM LIVING FOR IT. (Lily James is one of my faves so ya'll know I'm gonna be watching this at my earliest convenience.)
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I enjoyed it, but probably not enough to want to read it again.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I have to say that this book surprised me. I love how it is written in letter format. It gives it a touch that makes the book so special. It opened my eyes to so much. I would tell anyone to read this book.