The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Ratings314
Average rating4.1
föl kellett adnom 17%-nál, hát nem lehet ezt bírni. miért akar valaki 528 szemszögű levelezőpártneros könyvet írni, ha képtelen különböző hangnemeket produkálni? ha nem lennének ott a címzések és az aláírások, fogalmam sem lett volna, ki jártatja a száját éppen, annyira összemosódnak a érdektelen szereplők érdektelen mondanivalói.
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.
Told through a series of letters.. This is a beautiful mushy story about the antics of a literary group that formed during the German occupation of Guernsey during WW2. Equal amounts of funny, sad, uplifting and dark. Happy tears.
I'm sorry I know everyone loved this but I hated it! The format didn't work at all, and I didn't like a single character (except maybe Elizabeth who's literally dead)
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 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.
The plot was intriguing at first, but I just couldn't buy the way the characters acted. Some of the conversations by letter were just nonsense, they would work if email had existed at that time.
DNF. Reminds me too much of 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, so I reread that instead.
This is the sweetest book I have ever read, it really started my year out on a high note. The characters are charming and funny and lovable. The letter format is an adjustment at first but very intriguing as it reveals the personal thoughts and relationships between characters. The premise is a beautiful exploration of the resilience of humanity in war and isolation, but most of all, how a community built on love and trust, is ultimately your family.
the last book of the year!! (December 31 at 11:30)
A simple story that I really liked, with the style of writing (in the form of letters) that I began to like so much since “Dracula”.
i genuinely think this is one of the only few western WWII era books worth reading (this and the lovely war, but i have to reread it now that i have really developed my taste)
a lot of people complained about the epistolary format, but i really enjoyed it. i would have absolutely hated to have read this book from any one character's point of view (especially juliet's), so being able to hear every character speak about their experiences during the occupation of guernsey on top of modern day events of trying to find out about elizabeth and take care of her child was made much more interesting
lots of extraneous stuff, though. nothing regarding juliet and her various romances was worth however much page space was wasted on it
Charming little book. A good place to jump off from The Paris Library. It is the characters that really make everything work well, strange yet lovable. In a time when it feels like community is falling apart, reading a book about a strong community that comes together is refreshing.
Not a bad book, but I didn't love the letter format. Also, towards the beginning of the book different people wrote letters while later on the letters were almost completely one-sided coming from Juliet. Overall, underwhelming for me.
This book takes place in 1946 after WW2 has ended and it's written in the form of letters. I can't say how accurate the events of this book are because I am not a history buff but it seems as though a lot of thought and research went into it. I have to say I struggled to get into this one at first. It was very slow going for like the first half or so. I don't know if it was because it was written in letter format or what but I just found myself never wanting to pick it up because it felt like I was getting through it at a turtles pace and the book was only 290 pages. Also there were a lot of characters and it was hard to keep up with who was who to start with. I don't know if I just got used to it or what but I eventually started to fly through it. I thought it was an interesting story and I loved learning something I didn't know anything about. There was a romance aspect in it which I loved even though that was predictable and it ended abruptly. I wanted more from it. Overall even though it was a slow start for me I ended up enjoying it and I look forward to watching the adaptation.
I read the book after watching the film and and this is a rare case where I prefer the film. The book is written in the format of letters between characters, which takes a while to get used to. It also detracts from any sense of place.
The character of Juliet is also less likable in the book, and there's a lack of overall realism in the plot. Everything is too perfect, everyone is a bit too happy. Where the book sugarcoats history and the tension between individuals affected by the war, the film depicts a more realistic picture. One example is when Juliet asks to tell the story of the islanders and letters begin to pour in, with everyone all too willing to share details about Elizabeth and Kit. In the film, this is a point of contention, and understandably so.
The most unrealistic moment for me in the book was when Juliet decides to adopt Kit without asking any of her current guardians. When she does break the news, they're overjoyed that a complete stranger is willing to take away this child that is essentially part of their family. It felt completely detached from reality and far too Disney-princess of a situation for me to really feel immersed in the world.
The romance was also a disappointment in the book. While we have two hours of flustered faces and tension in the film, there is almost nothing to imply attraction between Dawsey and Juliet in the book until the very end. Again, this made things very unrealistic and it felt forced.
Goodreads não deixou que eu salvasse duas edições diferentes do livro. Então deixarei a tag audiobook em menção honrosa a primeira leitura.
2ª leitura: Maio 2020 - paperback Rocco
1º leitura: Junho 2019 - audiobook Scribd
Sigo pensando que é uma das histórias mais esperituosas. “Ler” devidadmente, esta vez, deu um peso diferente. Engraçado pensar isso. Ou, talvez, seja porque já sabia no subconsciente como era (e o quão diferente é do filme da Netflix - que é, a sua maneira e suas diferenças, tão amável quanto o livro; e isso é muito raro de acontecer).
Envolvente, e simples a sua maneira, talvez por termos a sensação de ler a correspondência alheia (que não deve ser lida), o livro é um poderoso pageturner que me fez ir dormir as 2h da manhã.
Confesso que a única ressalva negativa, talvez, seja a edição da Rocco. Esse layout/formatação de texto usada por eles há anos, fez com que eu tivesse o dejavú de estar lendo Harry Potter e a Pedra Filosofal novamente, sem o agravante das paginas em branco.
E um pouquinho a tradução. Mas eles sabem melhor do que do trabalho que fazem.
É um bom livro, curto, denso com temas de guerra a sua maneira, mas um grande hert-warming, que restaura a fé em amizades duradouras, mulheres decididas e encontros ao acaso.
Novamente me pergunto o que uma pessoa alemã pensa quando lê esses livros do período de guerra, e o quanto ainda pisamos todos nesse tema, trazendo muito conteúdo em cima de uma única nação - que hoje tem pouquissimos % ações nesse nível.
2,5 sterrethes
Het duurde eventjes voor ik in dit boek zat. Het is geschreven aan de hand van brieven, dus het is een beetje puzzelen om erin te raken.
Al bij al een leuk boek, niet meer en niet minder. Het einde voelde wel wat gehaast en botsbollig, maar dit zal waarschijnlijk te maken hebben met het overlijden van de auteur.
This story was very interesting to me but I didn't care for the letter format of the book. I found myself wishing I could read the book that Juliet was going to write that focused on Elizabeth. The island sounds like a wonderful place to live and I wish I could see it. I love the closeness of all the various characters that live there. I'd love to have neighbors like that.
This cover is so stupid. I mean, the love story isn't even the point with this book! Yes, it is there, but it's like a bonus. Had it been Elizabeth and Christian, it might have been ok, but not even that was the main point. I almost didn't read this when I saw that cover, and that would have been a big loss to me! I LOVE THIS BOOK!
It is rather heavy though. There are scenes that were almost unbearable to read. So if you are sensitive about the ugly truths of war, misery, human suffering, you might not want to read this book.
Though I wish you could try to tolerate it, because there is so much love, beauty and humor in this book... I feel my life is richer having read this story :-)
Also, the author waited for the very last moment to write this book... it's published posthumously. It was published in July 2008, she dies in February 2008. So, please, if there is a story inside you, please, please, please, tell it! It might be awful, but it might also be wonderful, and if it is wonderful, even for one other person, it would be truly awful if the story was never told. Please.
Overall I thought this was cute. I didn't love the letters format at first - made me think of 84 Charing Cross Road, which I loved and thought was wonderful - but it grew on me as the book went. My only absolute-disliking section was when Juliet was contemplating marrying that creepy Mark Reynolds who wouldn't take no for an answer and obviously wanted to "control his woman" and to that I'm like, GIRL. You do not need a man that's gonna do that! Didn't think there was the best distinction between some of the letter writers, but I also had never heard of the Channel islands before, nor knew their involvement in WWII, so I'm glad I read and learned something. The bits about Elizabeth and Remy in Ravensbruck were harrowing and heartbreaking, and I'm glad the author(s) didn't shy away from the war story, as this could have easily veered into being twee.
A good friend recommended this book to me a number of years ago. As soon as I saw it was planned as a Netflix movie, I knew I had to read it before the film was available. I read the book in two sittings and can say that it is an absolutely lovely read. I love the fact that the story was told in the form of letters allowing for numerous voices. It ended all too quickly.
This is a fabulous book.
I usually don't read books about the wars, but this was recommended to me and many people I know of have liked it. It isn't even that long, so I decided to give it a try.
With some books you get that immediately feeling of wonder or pull, with this one it did take me awhile before I got into it, but I don't know exactly when. The first few letters I wasn't hooked, but intrigued and the next thing I know I'm smiling along and feeling fully immersed.
I suppose in a way, this is a good description of the feel of the book. It will not make your heart beat jump, it won't shock or sadden you, but it is delicate and gives off that warm feeling. A book that made me wish a meadow was outside my window and a cup of tea on my table.
Okay, about the book itself. It is truly wonderful. I love how it is told through letters with a few telegrams here and there. You get a sense of the characters and can learn about their past, while understand how they are in their present. The horrors of the past are still horrible to read about, but it isn't as horrifying when told in this fashion.
The Islanders are quirky and lovely, truly I liked all of the characters in this book. I do wish we had more correspondences FROM Sidney, Susan, and Sophie. Especially Sidney though, I would have liked to see the replies.
This is more character driven than plot-driven, so expect this to feel more slice of life with no definite end goal. This book is about friendship, overcoming horrors, and finding ones place in life. Very much recommend this to people who like historical fiction and quirky writing styles.