#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A NETFLIX FILM • A remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German Occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name. “Treat yourself to this book, please—I can’t recommend it highly enough.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love “I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that … 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.
Praise for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
“A jewel . . . Poignant and keenly observed, Guernsey is a small masterpiece about love, war, and the immeasurable sustenance to be found in good books and good friends.”—People
“A book-lover’s delight, an implicit and sometimes explicit paean to all things literary.”—Chicago Sun-Times
“A sparkling epistolary novel radiating wit, lightly worn erudition and written with great assurance and aplomb.”—The Sunday Times (London)
“Cooked perfectly à point: subtle and elegant in flavour, yet emotionally satisfying to the finish.”—The Times (London)
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I read this book when it was first published, and now there’s a movie coming out. It’s a wonderful read that pulls you right into the world of the story, and I couldn’t put it down until I turned the last page. On the one hand, I can’t wait to see the movie: on the other, I’m worried that it might not be as good.
I first read this book a decade ago. After watching the Netflix movie, I had to read it again. It is every bit as wonderful as I remembered it. And like the narrator Juliet, I fell completely under the spell of Elizabeth.
Oh, what a book! It made me laugh, cry, think, and root for these people. It had romance, tragedy, hope, and history. Can you tell I liked it?
I read this epistolary novel in one sitting. I laughed, I cried, I laughed again. I did not do a single chore all day and feel zero guilt, because this book was worth letting the dust be its dusty self.
This book was…absolutely wonderful in every way, and I think everyone on earth should stop what they’re doing right now and read it. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. Loved it! Magical.
Read this twice for two different book groups and we all absolutely loved it! The characters are wonderful and I also highly recommend the audio book.
LOVED LOVED LOVED it. I was laughing out loud in some parts, and crying unashamedly at others. The audio version is one of my favorite audio books ever, with all the different narrators. I plan to listen to it again. If you’re on the fence about reading this book, here’s a little nudge. Do it.
It was a great book about a time I knew little about. It makes me want to visit that area of the world someday.
I am late to the party on this book but am jumping right in with raves! Told through the exchange of letters, the story is wonderfully written by authors who love books and the written word almost as much as the beautiful, rich and yummy characters they write about. Telling the story of the WW II German occupation of the Channel Islands through …
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie society was a wonderful, witty, romantic, and beautifully written story. Not a novel in the common form, the book is an epistolary which I will admit gave me some hesitation. But since I’d thoroughly enjoyed the Netflicks movie, I thought I’d give it a try. I am so glad I did. The authors write in an …
Beautifully written! Immediately connected with all of the characters. Loved that it was written in letters, great read to pick up and out down throughout the day. Described the Island of Guernsey so well and I’m sure inspired many trips for readers in the future…
I so badly want to go to Guernsey!! I should actually say that I want to go BACK to Guernsey because I feel like I’ve just returned home after a long visit there with all of my dear friends. And, in a strange way, I feel a little shell-shocked inside because of all that occurred while I “was there”.
“The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie …
This is one of my very favorite books. I have read it twice and will probably do so again. I loved the format, the use of letters to tell the story. The characters were so special. I felt that I knew them personally. I recommend this book whole heartedly.
This is one of those books that caught me by surprise. It was written in a very different style, which at first I wasn’t sure I would enjoy, but I ended up enjoying very much, indeed. It is one of the few books that I have kept since I bought my Kindle I have read it several times, and discover something new each time.
The characters are quirky, …
May Ann Shaffer’s The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is not what you expect from the title. The reader may seemingly expect a cozy read about a group of southern women discussing books and unhealthy, scrumptious dessert recipes from the deep south, a la Paula Deen. Instead, it is a beautiful story of a cast of quirky characters from …
I resisted reading this book for far too long because I’ve never been a fan of stories written by way of letters. I change my mind. This was MARVELOUS!!
What an amazing read. It was such a beautiful, funny, emotional ,and heartfelt book. This is a must read book and I can’t wait to watch the movie. I definitely recommend this book and these authors.
A difficult book—because the authors did such a good job with it! History books skip what happened to Guernsey during WWII and this book shares this trial through well written characters. Poignant and heartfelt.
I fell in love with this book in the first few pages, and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Truly a classic in my opinion.
I’m late to the Guernsey party but really enjoyed both the book and film. Well done.