#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 loved this book!
Another great book with great characters overcoming great challenges with great endurance, innovative solutions to painful problems, and a humor that pervades everything without turning to “dark” or “gallows” humor. Humor as a convincing strength in even the most constrictive circumstances.
A really fun and sad read!
A gem of an epistolary novel . . . outstanding characterization with unforgettable cameos of the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands.
I have reread several times.
One of the best books re the Holocaust period. I highly recomend it.
Great book – I read it several years ago and have read it a couple times since,
Tells a great story and well written.
Didn’t expect to like this because it was a collection of letters. It was outstanding! Highly recommend.
A WWII book set on small island during the time of the German occupation. Some resist, and this fictionalized story tells how a group survives under hard times and tries to make the best of what they have, together.
A wonderful book, the story telling is just right.
As I do with many books, I picked this one up without knowing anything about it. War stories are hard for me; I can’t usually separate the fact from the fiction, so I generally avoid them. I didn’t know this was a post-World War II story, though, so I picked it up.
It took a few “chapters” to get into the story because there are just so many …
it was ok but not one I would necessarily recommend.
Read this with my book club. Such a marvelous story . How war affects the entire community and how people rise to become unexpected hero’s. A wonderful read
One of the best books I’ve read, historical fiction at it’s best.
a very favorite!!!!
Loved this book and the friendships that develop through such real life horror of Natzi occupation.
A Well Told Story
Excellent read.
Total wishful thinking about the Nazis and the islanders.
I have not seen the movie, but glad I read the book first.
Is a beautiful love story. Even after all the destruction of WWII. there is hope and love. Flows very easily because is written in an epistolary way. How I miss a written letter@