#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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Written entirely as letters was a different approach and took some effort to keep the characters straight. The story line was interesting and informative about the Islands in the English Channel during the war, which I’d never heard about before but I think I would have enjoyed it more in a traditional narrative format.
Another look at the tragedy that was World War II
Loved reading this book! Delightful!
This was very unusual because it was a part of WWII that you don’t hear about.
Enjoyed! Been awhile but would read again!
I appreciated a different perspective on the war. Great characters!
Very original and well written.
Wonderful book. One of my favorites.
One of my favorite feel-good books ever
Took me 3 times and several people recommending this book to me, mostly because I have never enjoyed “epistolary” novels, but also because the beginning is a bit confusing and slow. Once the main character reaches the island, however, the story takes off. I loved the quirky characters, the historical details, the description of island life, and of course, the love story. I have used this novel several times for my novel groups in my 12th grade British Lit classes…the girls love this novel, but I have to encourage them to stick with the story until the main character reaches Guernsey. Well worth the time…I only wish that the author had lived to write another novel.
One of my favorite books during WWII era. Absolutely a delightful club and great way to get new books to read.
This book really opened my eyes about how real people dealt with starvation during the war. Incredible how they came together to form a family of necessity in order to survive.
An enjoyable book about World War II times, with charming characters
Enjoyable book. Loved the characters.
Too schmaltz for me.
I very much enjoyed this book, and so has everyone I have recommended it to. There are good people in a difficult situation that I knew nothing about. I am very sorry that there will be no more books by this duo.
Loved the warmth and spirit of the characters. Just did the tour of Guernsey while in the British Isles. Fascinating. German installations still there. Movie coming out in the spring 2018.
Is this available for purchase. I read this years ago and would love to read it again.
A delightful story that takes place in 1946, Juliet, an author, is looking for a topic for a new book when she recieves a letter from Dawsey, a farmer from the Island of Guernesy who has a copy of a book once owned by Juliet. They correspond and Juliet learns more about Dawsey and his neighbors of Guernsey, an island occupied by the Germans in World War II. The book club, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, was created on the spur of the moment when a few of them are caught after curfew.
The story of the inhabitants of Guernsey unfolds through letters between Juliet and the people of Guernsey, Juliet’s publisher and friends. There are several touching personal stories and a good dose of humor included too
Enjoyed a fictional look at how a British Channel Island endured under German occupation.