The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
2008 • 322 pages
Ratings105
Average rating4
15
Ratings105
Average rating4
"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. From the Hardcover edition.
Reviews with the most likes.
i genuinely think this is one of the only few western WWII era books worth reading (this and the lovely war, but i have to reread it now that i have really developed my taste)
a lot of people complained about the epistolary format, but i really enjoyed it. i would have absolutely hated to have read this book from any one character's point of view (especially juliet's), so being able to hear every character speak about their experiences during the occupation of guernsey on top of modern day events of trying to find out about elizabeth and take care of her child was made much more interesting
lots of extraneous stuff, though. nothing regarding juliet and her various romances was worth however much page space was wasted on it
I can be skeptical of books written as a series of letters, but I thoroughly enjoyed that format for this book. It allowed the character nuances to come through subtly and develop over the course of the book. The story surrounds an author who befriends the literary society on Guernsey just after World War II. Her relationships lead her to write a book about the islanders' experience during the German occupation of the island. The characters are bright and fun, yet there is a moving and serious thread throughout. I whipped through the book and wanted more.
I loved this book. A totally different style of writing, it took me some time to figure it out but then the flow of the story was great. It is set in the aftermath of WWII. Even though the difficulties that people faced under the Germans were well documented, the book was not at all depressing. Its about the human spirit and how we find reasons to go on. I read many a page with a smile and a tear. Superb read
