#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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January 1948 and England is trying to return to normal. Done completely with correspondence between an English writer and the natives of Guernsey, the British island occupied by Nazi Germany, a wonderful look into the lives of these resilient, independent souls who did the best they could with what they had, upholding one another through it all. A …
This gave me a remarkable view of the Nazi resistance on the isle of Guernsey. I lived under Nazi occupation and still find hope in reading about the sacrifices that so many made during that period.
Engaging characters.
Absolutely loved this book. So charming… so clever…
Loved that story was told in letters; even though story was fictional learned a bit about the island of guernsey
Fabulous movie, too!
This is a good story about how normal people lived through WWII in a small English town.
Great read.
I love the characters and setting of this book – post-WWII Guernsey and writer Juliet’s discovery of how the members of the GLPPPS endured German occupation.
I loved the format of letters telling the story, in each character’s viewpoint.
Wonderful historical novel.
A wonderful collection of friends and neighbors living through a war. The village comes together as only friends and neighbors can, each offering their unique talents to survive with humor, caring and love. A beautiful story of how people care for each other through good and bad.
Beautiful historical fiction story!
I love the unique format in which the book was written—all in letters. Very enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed the letter style.
A small slice of life on the Isle of Guernsey during World War II. Simple people with deep friendships borne of love of books and creative baking.
Loved the format — letters written between people, no chapters and texts. Very original.
What can one say about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society that hasn’t already been said? It is indeed a mouthful; couldn’t the author have come up with a shorter title? The epistolary method is fascinating and wonderful, but what about good old-fashioned face-to-face communication? And I had an awful time trying to keep track of all …
I enjoyed this look at a small English island near France during WWII. It was something I had never read about previously. I liked the way the islanders dealt with the German invasion.
It was an interesting book about another part of the world