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.
First Line: "Dearest Sidney, Susan Scott is a wonder."
Random Quote: "Charles Fossey has asked if you would send the Society a copy of your prize-winning essay on chickens. He thinks it would be nice to read aloud at a meeting. Then we could put it in our archives, if we ever have any. I'd like to read it, too, chickens being the reason I fell off a hen-house roof - they'd chased me there. How they all came at me - with their razor lips and back-to-back eyeballs! People don't know how chickens can turn on you, but they can - just like mad dogs."
Review: I started to read this book when I first received it from the publisher, but I wasn't in the right frame of mind for it so I put it aside to read later. Later became almost a year later, but I did read and finish it and I thoroughly enjoyed this. It reminded me a bit of 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (also epistolary and also about people who connect through their love of books) and a bit of Plenty by David Hare's (another work that captures the desperation of post-war England), but it's very much its own thing and it was great fun.
Inside the Little Chapel - Guernsey - Image via WikipediaAre the characters a bit stock? Yes. Is the plot fairly predictable? Sure. Did I care? Not a whit. It's good to read a well-told story that makes you care about its characters and that tells you a bit about something and somewhere you didn't know about before. Sometimes simple is best.
Now - when is the Masterpiece Theatre production of this coming out because I am so there!
FTC Disclosure: Advance copy from the publisher for review
Rating: Orange
I loved this book, usually I find the letter technique annoying but in this novel it worked perfectly. I'm a little envious you received an awesome book like this from a publisher, I wish I had your source ! :)
ReplyDeleteI like the letter-writing format -- love 84 Charing Cross Road. the movie was good, too.
ReplyDeleteA bookseller in Florida formed a book/movie company and GLAPPS was his first movie option signing. Haven't heard anything about it since.
Masterpiece Theatre would do a bang-up job though!
This is one of those feel-good books where the flaws don't matter. I loved the fact that the book touched upon war without being too heavy.
ReplyDeleteI'll link to this post on the WWII book reviews page on War Through the Generations.