#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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Undoubtedly one of my favorite books…and I read ceaselessly.
This is one of the most touching and endearing books I have read. It tells the story of the German occupation of Guernsay but from the viewpoint of the people who lived there. Such wonderful characters! I highly, highly recommend it.
Sweet story
I have never read a book that told its story by written letters and found it very interesting once I caught on to the method. I did not know that England had been occupied during the war. I wondered how I would have reacted to such a situation. I am presenting the book to my book club as one of three for them to choose.
Wonderful book. Easy to read and you feel like you know the characters personally. I highly recommend it and have shared it with my friends.
Every sentence seems to have a surprise turn of phrase, the approach is unique and the characters are engaging. The book is well worth reading.
I loved this book, I gave it to all the important friends in my life. It is a little jewel, so much fun to read, great characters, very informative about the war in those islands.
Based on events during WWII, the German occupation of Guernsey, the characters are inventive, real, funny, and brave. The main character, Juliet, is engaging and loveable. You root for Juliet to find happiness in her life.
This may be my favorite book of all time!
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Beautifully written and engaging from the start.
I loved this book. The characters were colorful, to say the least, overlaid with that wonderful British humor. Told solely through letters written by each character, I was afraid the story would seem disjointed. Not so. It flowed beautifully, and I felt as if I had been dropped into this little town to personally experience the strong, quirky, and oh-so-human people that lived there. Wonderful story!
Not only was I given several copies of this book as gifts from family and friends, I’ve also given it as gifts, and recommended it many times to reader-friends. I enjoyed seeing how the author(s) told the story through letters, and used setting and circumstances as a vehicle to move it forward. The story interweaves enough comedy and tragedy to touch my heart and make me laugh and cry.
One of my favorite books!