The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

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.