Book Review : The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

BOOK DETAILS:

Book Title : The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Author : Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

ISBN : 

Publisher : Dial Press

Genre : Historical Fiction 

Publication : 2008

Pages : 277

Format : E-book

BOOK BLURB:

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. 

RATING: 4 ☆'s

REVIEW:

Back in late February and early March, the girls only ever talked about this book and also back then, Guernsey Literary was the only name known to me for the book - so it was only later, much later that I came to know the full name of the book.

So armed with intrigue for an interesting name and praises from the girl gang, I ended up picking this book towards the end of March and I am glad I picked this one - for it was what I had needed at that time.

WHAT I LOVED:

1. The Epistolary Format of Writing --- I feel that the format picked by the author for writing this novel was perfect, for had it been written in any other format, the book wouldn't have felt the same - warm and cuddly
2. Character Development --- I loved how different each character was and how distinct their personality. But what I loved more was how each character was developed over the letters
3. The Humour, The Wit and The German Occupation --- the horrors of the occupation though mellowed down and not discussed in detail still manage to give you shivers at times but the author(s) has/have done a great job at balancing it with the wit and the humour and making it a sweet, light read.
4. The Literary Society --- okay, this one is a personal liking - being an avid reader myself, I love the idea of book clubs, literary societies and group readings. The book although eventually moved away from discussing the literary group of Gurnsey, but the whole idea of this society and it's inception was beautiful for me and made me wish to start a literary society myself with my girls

WHAT I DISLIKED:

1. Language / Writing Style --- the book, although had very many different characters with different individual personalities, yet the whole book read as if written by a single person. There was no variation in how different people talk - I did sometimes end up looking at who had written the letter while in the middle of the letter.

THE VERDICT:

A short, sweet and light read, that will leave you feeling warm and cuddly. Don't try to read it as a historical novel discussing the German Occupation because it is not - the plot of the book only takes inspiration from the historical event but the book really is just about how life is on a small island and how the limitation of connectivity helps create better and beautiful relationships.

READ, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR:

• A Short, Sweet and Warm Read
• A Fun Read full of humour and wit
• An Idea or Inspiration to Start Your Own Literary Society