#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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The book is much better than the movie.
This is one of those rare books that I will reread, time and time again. The genuineness of these characters resonates with me. I want to move in next door.
Superb!!
This is a very different read. The entire story is told in the form of letters. I saw the Netflix version first and, for one of the first times in my life, I liked the theatrical version better than the book.
Loved it!
This book was the book that made me fall in love with historical fiction. Read this one years ago
This book deserves its best-selling status. It is just downright wonderful.
Just a good and entertaining book. Recommend reading this one.
Lovely Book!
I had visited this area when on a cruise. Made the book come alive.
A good book about a true event during WWll. Very well written account of the happenings.
A great book if you are interested in WW I I and the people who lived through it
Excellant book
Too simple, too sweet.
LOVED IT! I listened to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society via Audible, and it was wonderful. The story, told entirely in letters/telegrams between the characters, is very well written and the actors reading the story did a fabulous job. p.s. I will admit to watching the movie first, and I like that, but this was so much more!!! …
I LOVED this book (and the subsequent movie). It easily became one of my enduring favorites and I recommend it to everyone. While it is a story of a small group of people finding ways to outwit their Nazi occupiers, it is So Much more, it is the sometimes harrowing account of Ordinary People listening and obeying their hearts. I Highly …
Wow, the name of the book/movie grabbed my interest and it didn’t disappoint from there. This is a must read!
Sweet and original tale of WWII
I enjoyed this story. I liked how it told the story in the letter form. It was fun to follow the thought process of the author. It was an area of WWII that I didn’t know much about. It did make me want to know more and I am grateful this author also felt that way. I will enjoy the story another time.
I didn’t like it at first. It was hard to get used to the letter format, rather than regular chapters. But one episode I started to get to know the characters, I found it enjoyable. Nice Netflix adaptation. But book is better.