#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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Intended to read this one for a long time. Read it in 2 days this week. Really enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who enjoys stories with great characters with varied personalities.
I enjoyed this book because it enlightened me. I had no idea Guernsey wen through this in WWII. I knew the general horror of the German attacks, but this brought it to a personal level. I also liked that although the book showed the awful side of the Germans, that it also showed that not all of them were heartless killers, but human beings put …
Love this book.
Loved this book !
I had read this book several years ago, as I was very intrigued by the title. It was a different book than I had ever read before, but in the re-read, it was like saying hello to an old friend. Do yourself a favor, and read this story.
This funny, witty, and sad book is close to perfect. I loved it!
WWll saga written as a series of letters during German occupation of Guernsey Island in the English Channel.
If you have trouble getting into this book, keep trying. Or put it down and then try again, but soon. You have to read it though. I loved it. I wrote down many quotes from it, and I’m so happy I read it. There were funny moments between friends and great intros between strangers…with futures as friends. It wasn’t all easy. It was just…real.
This is one of my favorite books, one I actually want to re-read.
The book was a good, solid story. It presented a WWII story about an easily overlooked population. Read the book, skip the movie which was a mess.
I resisted reading this book for quite a while because I’m not overly fond of epistolary novels. I prefer novels written in scenes, as I find them more compelling. However, I did enjoy this book. It’s witty and charming, with an interesting premise and setting and sympathetic characters. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of post-WWII London and occupied …
After I finished this book several, I recommend it to everyone.
Book Review:
I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrow, but I’m glad I finally did. It’s not often you find a solid epistolary novel. I loved how each character played a part in narrating the story, it showed off their personalities in a wonderful way, …
A lovely story about how people can persevere in adverse conditions. Guernsey during WWII was overrun by the German army, and the locals had to endure rationing, food confiscation and curfews.
I loved this book! It provided a worthwhile minute by minute read. I know I will read it again.
I could not put this down. A book lover’s book.
This is such a great story!
DNF – did not like the writing style at all
I can’t imaging anyone not enjoying this book! Our book club loved it!
Pure entertainment in history lesson format. Loved it.