Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
2008
274 Pages

Synopsis from Goodreads
“ 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

Rating: 5/5 Stars

My Review:
This was such a good book! It was written all in letters/telegrams between the characters, and they were all written elegantly but with lots of genuine emotion or humour in them. The book takes place in post WWII, and revolves around the lives of people living in the Guernsey Islands during the German occupation. I love that we got to meet such neat characters, and see how they all connected to one another. I enjoyed the main character Juliet, and I found her to be a really believable character. All the characters were quite believable actually!

The book was a refreshing read. It touched on serious topics like the effect of the war on citizens of Guernsey Island, concentration camps, and the reality of families being separated for those five years of horror. There was an underlying love story and it wasn't overpowering, which was nice for a change. It allowed us to focus on Juliet's story and Elizabeth's story.

I highly recommend this book to people who love to read good classics like Pride & Prejudice, because the language is just beautiful!