5.0 out of 5 based on 7 reviews. – Customer review on 29/06/2009

Loved it! A pleasure to read, cleverly involving, with a unique style as it is told through letters between the characters. Each character's personality comes through via their own writing style, from terse to gossipy, with each letter's news. I found the story is a fascinating insight into events in another time, without the overly dramatic embellishments that you would get in film media. I was left wanting more. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 based on 7 reviews. – Customer review on 16/10/2009

What a lovely book. So easy to read and sooo interesting it was very hard to put down. It was difficult to wait to read the next letter from some of the characters. The author's ability to change writing voice for each character's letters still has me in awe.

5.0 out of 5 based on 7 reviews. – Customer review on 23/06/2010

I loved this novel for so many different reasons that I'm having a hard time articulating what I liked about it. I thought the writing was very good as was the character development. I absolutely adored Julia, but I also thought many of the characters in this novel were very unique and special. The various members of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society were all wonderful people for variety of reasons, and they will no doubt remain with you long after reading this book. Despite being oppressed for years while their country was occupied by the Germans, these people managed to make the best of the circumstances and develop incredible friendships and relationships. I experienced such beautiful and uplifting feelings while reading this book and even after I finished it.

5.0 out of 5 based on 7 reviews. – Customer review on 18/03/2010

This is such a charming and beautiful story. The characters are so well portrayed and I felt truly part of their experiences.

It is such a shame we will not have any other novels from the late Mary Ann Shaffer.

4.0 out of 5 based on 7 reviews. – Customer review on 05/10/2009

Very, very good but not great. Would really give this 4+1/2 stars.
I usually hate books based solely on letters (not that I've read many), as it can be hard to keep track of the many characters, events and storyline. This one does it effortlessly. The main character, Juliet, writes to her publisher, frustrated suitor & best friend as well as members of the Guernsey literary society of the title.
The story is about how Juliet is looking for her next project in a depressed post-WW2 England when she stumbles across these individuals from Guernsey and she becomes more enmeshed in their world. While the subject matter (WW2, poverty, rebuilding) can be depressing, it is dealt with in a positive, matter-of-fact way and Juliet's voice is light-hearted and humourous. My main complaint with the book is that it was over too fast, there were so many incidents and people I wanted to read in more detail and depth.
It is original. A sad post-script is that the main author passed away before her book was published.The work was completed by her niece.

1.0 out of 5 based on 7 reviews. – Customer review on 28/09/2009

I would love to review this book but, almost five weeks after ordering it, I am still waiting...

5.0 out of 5 based on 7 reviews. – Customer review on 03/08/2009

A lovely, lovely book that I couldn't put down. A very moving and very enjoyable book and one everyone should read. Put your feet up somewhere comfy and enjoy!