#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 listened to this book on tape, and really enjoyed it this way. For one thing, the British reader could tell me how to pronounce names of people and places!
I thought this book was truly an original in the true basis of why we read books. To escape your world for a little while and in these circumstances, to gain friendship and solice in each other thru an original book club!
The letter format of the book took a bit to get used to. I felt like I was constantly having to shift gears with each new letter and letter writer introduced. After a bit though, I was able to get into the flow of things, especially as I got to know who the characters were. This was a fantastic book that created such a little community on Guernsey …
One of my all time favorite books.
One of my favorites! Loved the movie!
Great book and now its a movie on NetFlix
Fun and thought provoking.
This book is up there with the dozen or so others that I consider the BEST books I’ve ever read!
** spoiler alert ** This book was simply stunning. Written in a circular fashion and completely in personal correspondence, the plot slowly weaves itself together between both the war and post-war years while the characters developed and bloom. The end of the book will come all too soon and leave you craving a taste for more of Guernsey. I would …
Loved this book.
One of my favorites!
Loved this book enough to consider reading it again and reading a book twice is a rarity for me! C
One of my all time favorites !!
Written as personal letters from a British author to Guernsey Islanders after World War II, the history and characters were believable and inspiring.
Just so charming. I now want to go to Guernsey. Read it before watching the movie on Netflix. The movie doesn’t develop the characters.
This is truly a unique tale of World War II and its effect on the community living on an island in the English Channel. Told entirely through letters, the characters come to life in such a real way. A young author, Juliet, is contacted by a resident in Guernsey after the War and a correspondence and friendship begins. She is so intrigued and …
People ban together to take care of each other at all cost. There really are lessons to be learned from history.
Destined to become a classic. It’s about friendship, courage, and love; it’s about ourselves, and how we endure.
Lovely and full of real people.
A little predictable but enjoyable characters and interesting story line.