The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
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4.6 • 483 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
I can't remember the last time I discovered a novel as smart and delightful as this one. Treat yourself to this book, please—I can't recommend it highly enough.'
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love
The beloved, life-affirming international bestseller—now a major film coming in April 2018, starring Lily James, Matthew Goode, Jessica Brown Findlay, Tom Courtenay and Penelope Wilton.
It's 1946. The war is over, and Juliet Ashton has writer's block. But when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey—a total stranger living halfway across the Channel, who has come across her name written in a second hand book—she enters into a correspondence with him, and in time with all the members of the extraordinary Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Through their letters, the society tell Juliet about life on the island, their love of books—and the long shadow cast by their time living under German occupation. Drawn into their irresistible world, Juliet sets sail for the island, changing her life forever.
Gloriously honest, enchanting and funny, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is sure to win your heart.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
When war complicates everything, something as basic as a love of books can bring people together. Set during World War II on the German-occupied Channel Island of Guernsey, this charming story is told through letters exchanged between a young author and a community of disparate readers trying to rebuild their lives. Adapted into an achingly tender film, this humorous and harrowing novel was written by librarian and bookseller Mary Ann Shaffer and posthumously finished by her niece, Annie Barrows. Shaffer’s reverence for both reading and writing is evident on every page.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The letters comprising this small charming novel begin in 1946, when single, 30-something author Juliet Ashton (nom de plume "Izzy Bickerstaff") writes to her publisher to say she is tired of covering the sunny side of war and its aftermath. When Guernsey farmer Dawsey Adams finds Juliet's name in a used book and invites articulate and not-so-articulate neighbors to write Juliet with their stories, the book's epistolary circle widens, putting Juliet back in the path of war stories. The occasionally contrived letters jump from incident to incident including the formation of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society while Guernsey was under German occupation and person to person in a manner that feels disjointed. But Juliet's quips are so clever, the Guernsey inhabitants so enchanting and the small acts of heroism so vivid and moving that one forgives the authors (Shaffer died earlier this year) for not being able to settle on a single person or plot. Juliet finds in the letters not just inspiration for her next work, but also for her life as will readers.
Customer Reviews
Guernsey Island loved it
I loved it from the beginning to end. Quirky, funny, loved the characters depicted in this story. I would love to travel to Guernsey island after reading this book.
Thoughts from a 12 year old
I loved this book! I’ve never read a book like it; with all the letters.
At some points I felt like it was a bit slow and that it was just Juliet writing. I’m disappointed that we didn’t hear much from Sophie or as much from Sidney.
But other than that it was great, I loved Mark and Juliet’s storyline and I loved Dawsey and Juliet’s even more. Towards the end Isola was just the best!
Loved this book!
As someone whose reading taste tends more towards books with dragons and space ship I didn’t expect to love this book like I did. I’m not entirely sure why I decided to pick and read this book but I am very glad I did as I absolutely loved it and wish I could read it for the first time again.