" 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.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Enjoyable Read:
I'm wondering if the authors are in cahoots with the Channel Islands tourism board, as you will definitely be dreaming of planning a trip to Guernsey after reading this delightful novel. Particularly enjoyable for those who have an interest in all things related to WWII. As the book is written as a series of letters, I was initially worried that I would lose track of who wrote what letter to who; but there is no need to memorize the various correspondence - for some reason the tale seamlessly spins even... more info
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society:
My book club read this book last month. All twelve members rated it a
9 or 10...mostly 10's! It was funny, sad, and heartwarming. The letter
format was a little confusing at first - it was an unusual way of letting
the reader gather information and I made a list of the letter writers.
After I did this, the book read more easily for me. I felt I really knew
the characters at the end of the story and hated to see the book end!
Charming:
Loved the book. It started out a little slow, but soon I was enthralled with the characters of Guernsey Island. While it isn't a true story, you almost feel it is because of the history of the island and the Nazi occupation. The people are charming and the story is captivating. I've purchased several more books to give for Christmas gifts.
It's a mood thing....:
After reading this book, I read thru some of the less flattering reviews out of curiosity. I think it boils down to what mood you are in. I find that my mood affects my enjoyment of certain types of books - maybe that true for some who didn't care for this. I enjoyed it, and found myself telling my husband about parts of it that I found interesting - the historical aspects of the area, etc. It's an enjoyable read. The format of the letters makes a nice change - though it wasn't very realistic that all of... more info
