The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Ratings314
Average rating4.1
Summary: A few months after the end of World War II, author Juliette Ashton receives a letter from a pig farmer on the formerly occupied island of Guernsey who found her name and address written in a book that ended up in his possession. Juliette learns from the farmer, Dawsey Adams, that, during the occupation, he and his friends had formed a book club that, despite its creation as a cover for an unauthorized gathering they’d held, ended up becoming an indispensable community of support for its members. Juliette, intrigued, decides that she must meet the book club, and she sets out for a visit to the island that will change her life.
Summary: A few months after the end of World War II, author Juliette Ashton receives a letter from a pig farmer on the formerly occupied island of Guernsey who found her name and address written in a book that ended up in his possession. Juliette learns from the farmer, Dawsey Adams, that, during the occupation, he and his friends had formed a book club that, despite its creation as a cover for an unauthorized gathering they’d held, ended up becoming an indispensable community of support for its members. Juliette, intrigued, decides that she must meet the book club, and she sets out for a visit to the island that will change her life.
Added to listHistorical Fictionwith 26 books.
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I decided to read this book after seeing it being recommended several times for the comfort it gives to its readers.
Overall, I liked the narrative style - the story is told through letters and telegrams. However, I always have a "problem" when stories are told this way: for me, it creates a certain distance between the reader and the characters. (I recognise that this is a me problem though).
I also was unaware of the romance. It was not exactly an unwelcome surprise, but it wasn't that well developed, I needed more scenes with them.
The end felt a little unfinished and abrupt which most likely the result of the primary author's declining health that led her niece, Annie Barrows, to do some rewriting and editing.
What I best liked about it: I hadn't even ever heard about the Channel Islands and the german occupation during World War II. I'm appreciative of the knowledge it brought me and the curiosity to know more. For this reason alone, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and its memorable characters was worth the read.
I decided to read this book after seeing it being recommended several times for the comfort it gives to its readers.
Overall, I liked the narrative style - the story is told through letters and telegrams. However, I always have a "problem" when stories are told this way: for me, it creates a certain distance between the reader and the characters. (I recognise that this is a me problem though).
I also was unaware of the romance. It was not exactly an unwelcome surprise, but it wasn't that well developed, I needed more scenes with them.
The end felt a little unfinished and abrupt which most likely the result of the primary author's declining health that led her niece, Annie Barrows, to do some rewriting and editing.
What I best liked about it: I hadn't even ever heard about the Channel Islands and the german occupation during World War II. I'm appreciative of the knowledge it brought me and the curiosity to know more. For this reason alone, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and its memorable characters was worth the read.
I really liked this book. Quite an easy read once I got the hang of the formatting. A very nice book to follow A Little Life. The story is upbeat and happy for the most part (even during the sad parts) and I found myself in a good mood almost every time I read this book.
It didn't change my perspective on anything, but that being said I still enjoyed reading it.
I really liked this book. Quite an easy read once I got the hang of the formatting. A very nice book to follow A Little Life. The story is upbeat and happy for the most part (even during the sad parts) and I found myself in a good mood almost every time I read this book.
It didn't change my perspective on anything, but that being said I still enjoyed reading it.