 |
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Societyby Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows |
Gail Reid: My fellow (what is the feminine of fellow?) readers have done a fine job of describing this short but memorable novel that is told strictly through letters. The book takes place in Guernsey on the Channel Islands of the U.K. right after WWII at time when there was no internet, no e-mail, and phone service had only recently been restored. Letters were the only means to tell news and convey feelings. All the characters are well developed through their letters yet each has a unique voice. The Channel Islands had been occupied by the Nazis during the war. When a London newspaperwoman comes to Guernsey to write the story of the Nazi occupation she becomes totally involved in the people and the lives they lead.
I recommended this book to a colleague who when she finished it
said "I want to know people like them". You will, too.
Rating:*****
Janet Kolodner: This book is a gem. It is short and sweet and uplifting while it also tells the story of Guernsey Island (off of Great Britain) during WWII. As the other reviews tell you, it is written as a set of letters -- between a writer, her publisher (who is a close friend since childhood), his sister (also a close friend), the man who wants to marry the writer, and people who live in Guernsey. I've read other books that are written in letters but never one with so many people writing letters to so many others. As you might imagine, you can get to know someone through his/her letters, and that is what happened to me while reading this book -- I came to know the characters based on what they wrote to others -- the things they were interested in and the judgments they made -- and through seeing them described through the eyes of other letter writers. I also learned some history -- about the Nazi occupation of Guernsey during WWII. There are some very sad and tragic parts to the book, but it is hopeful and uplifting above all. All that being said, the author also wants you to think a bit about what the war might have been like for young Germans soldiers -- boys, really -- and to sympathize with some of them. I didn't especially want to feel that particular sympathy, but the author doesn't make you feel it; she only challenges you to feel it.
Actually, there are two authors to this book because the first
author became too sick to write before doing the final edits.
She had written the book as part of a creative writing club,
and not only did everyone in the club cheer on her writing,
but the agent and then publisher she found also loved the way
she wrote. She asked her niece, the other writer in the family,
to finish the book for her. The niece says that her aunt had
always been a story teller, from way before she began writing,
so she found it easy to carry on in her aunt's voice and make
the edits required by the publisher. When I finished the book,
not only did I want to keep living with the characters and
know what happened to them, I was also saddened that I would
not get to read any other books by the first author.
Rating:*****
Wanda Cohen: I was aware of this
book because many of you have loved it and shared your
feelings by submitting reviews. It came to me as a surprise
gift and I'm so glad it did. You were so right.
It is wonderful. It has all the elements of a unique
must read with just enough tradition to make it a
classic to be enjoyed over and over again.
READ IT!! You will fall in love with it too. I promise.
Rating:*****
Dale Israel: Don't let the title of this
book fool you...when I saw the name of the book I thought it
might just be another lightweight little book, but actually it
was much more than that. This book has been on the Best Seller's list
for several weeks now and I can understand why. It takes place in
1946 as London is emerging from the shadow of WWII. Juliet Ashton is a
columnist and author on the hunt for an interesting subject to write about.
She discovers a group of interesting "characters" who live on the
Channel island of Guernsey and make up the Guernsey Literary and Potato
Peel Pie Society -- a a unique reading club formed on the spur-of-the-moment
as an alibi to protect its members from being arrested by Germans
who took over the island during the war. The reader learns about
the members' lives through their letters to Juliette. In this manner,
you discover what the island was like during that period of time,
the people's taste in books, and the impact the recent German
occupation had on their lives. I enjoyed this book and found
Juliette to be witty and engaging. The story kept my interest though
I must admit the ending was rather abrupt which was a little
disappointing. Nevertheless, I'd recommend this book. It was a
good read.
Rating:****
Ava Shuster: I am glad I have the chance
to write about this book since I have had difficutly recalling the
full name when I try to tell people about it! This relatively slim book
was such a pleasant surprise. The story is told exclusively through letters.
It created a very interesting storytelling vehicle.
I have tried to create a synopsis but after three failures to convey the charms
of this book, I suggest you look it up online or open and read the inside flap
on your next visit to a bookstore. It takes place right after WWII. I never knew that
England's , Channel Islands were occupied by the Nazis during the war. It is the
occupation and some of the residents attempts at resistance that end up creating
the Literary Society. Fun book...easy reading
Rating:****
