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It's 1946, and as Juliet Ashton sits at her desk in her Chelsea flat, she is stumped. A writer of witty newspaper columns during the war, she can't think of what to write next. Out of the blue, she receives a letter from one Dawsey Adams of Guernsey - by chance he's acquired a book Juliet once owned - and, emboldened by their mutual love of books, they begin a correspondence. Dawsey is a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and it's not long before the rest of the members write to Juliet - including the gawky Isola, who makes home-made potions; Eben, the fisherman who loves Shakespeare; and Will Thisbee, rag-and-bone man and chef of the famous potato peel pie. As letters fly back and forth, Juliet comes to know the extraordinary personalities of the Society and their lives under the German occupation of the island. Entranced by their stories, Juliet decides to visit the island to meet them properly - and unwittingly turns her life upside down.
About the Author
Mary Ann Shaffer wrote The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society when she was a retired bookseller and librarian, in her seventies. She died in 2008, just before her book was published.
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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.
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.
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.
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!
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