#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 quirky book, written entirely in letters, and awash in colorful, spirited characters, was one of the best books I read in 2012. Briefly, it is the story of making a (n often new) life in the ration- and rubble-filled years in immediate post-WWII England. It is so vividly written that not only did I feel I was in Guernsey along with Juliet, I …
Enjoyed the time frame of the story and its characters. I am interested in the time period with a different location to learn about.
One of my favorite books ever!
Great. Entertaining. Easy read with interesting characters.
Interesting folks!
One of my all time favorite books. I wish that she had written more books.
A fun book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
A great story about World War II. The characters are entertaining and sometimes downright funny. I loved every moment of this one.
Loved this WWII tale of life in Guernsey under German occupation. Excellent read for pure pleasure!
The characters are so true-to-life I wanted to meet them. Good historical information about Guernsey during WWII.
Delightful story – in epistolary form – about the pluck and expansion of minds and social circles when Brits on a channel island form a book club in solidarity and resistance to German occupiers in WW2.
I loved this WWII story because it was well written and showed that the good guys didn’t ALWAYS make great decisions and that ALL the German soldiers weren’t vile Nazi’s.
One of the most delightful books I have read in a long time. Utterly delicious characters, warm and intelligent writing; a treasure of a story from start to finish.
Loved this book! A great WWII story.
I loved this book, it made me feel as if I could see exactly what the words were describing. This book was emotional and truth is hard sometimes but I felt it was a teaching tool, if you wanted to learn how not to repeat the past. Reading this book was simply a wonderful experience. I have recommended it to friends which is a first for me …
This is a fantastic book! I give it as a gift regularly.
A unique telling, through a series of letters of the German occupation of The Guernsey islands during World War II, and how islanders survived it.
Loved it. Inspirational!
Surprisingly engaging…
I love reading war-related historical fiction. This book kept me coming back to it for more info about life during WWII. My parents lived during those years, and they have always fascinated me.