#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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This is the story of surviving WW II through a Literary Society. Their society became a way to meet and discuss information during the Nazi takeover. It I a heartfelt story.
One of my favorites
a slice of life you may not have realized happened.
I love how the ladies outwitted the Nazis.
Great read! Historical fiction about a small island off England in WWII.
I just couldn’t get into it.
I liked it but not as well as some of my friends.
I loved this book!
Loved, loved, loved this book! Read it!
Loved it. Almost made me wish I lived on a small war-torn island … without the war.
I loved it. I am going to use it as my choice for our next book club meeting.
Possibly the best book by a modern author I have ever read.
I love WWII stories and this one was no exception. Catchy title caught my eye, then the place and time. I recommend if you love this genre.
A historical about a chapter in WWII that I didn’t know much about. It was nicely written and very sweet I thought.
Wonderful read.
An unusual premise in an unusual location. A war story in a backwater of the Second World War, about an odd group of characters. It is told entirely by letters but manages to make the people three dimensional and endearing.
Great historical fiction!
Wonderful book. It made me laugh out loud then cry.
I’m so sorry that i will never be able to read another book by this author. This book was so very sweet and make be happy while I was reading it. I was sorry when I came to the end.
I absolutely love this book, I recommended it to my book club and everyone enjoyed it. Unlike many other books that I have read.