Annie Barrows

Mary Ann Shaffer

A Novel

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Claire

My temporary job at the quarry is over, and Kit is staying with me for a bit. She is sitting beneath the table I'm writing upon, whispering. What's that you're whispering, I asked, and there was a long quiet. Then she commenced whispering again, and I can make out my own name mixed into the other sounds. This is what generals call a war of nerves, and I know who is going to win.

DID ELIZABETH REALLY SLAP ADELAIDE ADDISON? IF ONLY I HAD BEEN THERE! PLEASE SEND DETAILS. LOVE, JULIET

I suppose I do have a suitor, but I'm not really used to him yet. He’s terribly charming and he plies me with delicious meals, but I sometimes think I prefer suitors in books rather than right in front of me. How awful, backward, cowardly, and mentally warped that will be if it turns out to be true. Sidney published a book of my Izzy Bickerstaff columns and I went on a book tour. And then—I began writing letters to strangers in Guernsey, now friends, whom I would indeed like to come and see. 

Children sometimes went down to the green to see the Todt workers behind the wire fences. They would poke walnuts and apples, sometimes potatoes, through the wire for them. There was one Todt worker who did not take the food—he came to see the children. He would put his arm through the wire just to hold their faces in his hands, to touch their hair. 

I, too, have felt that the war goes on and on. When my son, lan, died at El Alamein—side by side with Eli's father, John—visitors offering their condolences, thinking to comfort me, said "Life goes on.” What nonsense, I thought, of course it doesn't. It's death that goes on; lan is dead now and will be dead tomorrow and next year and forever. There's no end to that. But perhaps there will be an end to the sorrow of it. Sorrow has rushed over the world like the waters of the Deluge, and it will take time to recede. But already, there are small islands of—hope? Happiness? Something like them, at any rate. I like the picture of you standing upon your chair to catch a glimpse of the sun, averting your eyes from the mounds of rubble.

Spring is nearly here. I'm almost warm in my puddle of sunshine. And down the street—I'm not averting my eyes now—a man in a patched jumper is painting the door to his house sky blue. Two small boys, who have been walloping one another with sticks, are begging him to let them help. He is giving them a tiny brush apiece. So—perhaps there is an end to war. 

Now, about Markham V. Reynolds (Junior). Your questions regarding that gentleman are very delicate, very subtle, very much like being smacked in the head with a mallet. Am I in love with him? What kind of a question is that? It's a tuba among the flutes, and I expect better of you.

I'm perfectly certain Sidney would prefer me to write a new book than to appear at his bedside in Australia, so I intend to stay right here in my dreary flat and cast about for a subject. I do have a tiny infant of an idea, much too frail and defenseless to risk describing, even to you. In honor of Sidney's leg, I'm going to coddle it and feed it and see if I can make it grow. 

“Nothing Eli liked more than to play with Elizabeth. They were a threat to the furniture, but it was cheerful to hear them laugh.” 

He had no imagination, either—fatal for one engaged in child-rearing.

Dawsey Adams has just been to call on me. I have never seen him as pleased with anything as he is with your gift and letter. He was so busy convincing me to write to you by the next post that he forgot to be shy. I dont believe he is aware of it, but Dawsey has a rare gift for persuasion—he never asks for anything for himself, so everyone is eager to do what he asks for others. 

I know that I am fortunate to have any place at all to live in London, but I much prefer whining to counting my blessings. I am glad you thought of me to do your Elia hunting.

While there, Lamb helped Hunt paint the ceiling of his cell sky blue with white clouds. Next they painted a rose trellis up one wall. Then, I further discovered, Lamb offered money to help Hunt's family outside the prison—though he himself was as poor as a man could be. Lamb aso taught Hunt's youngest daughter to say the Lords Prayer backward. You naturally want to learn everything you can about a man like that. 

That's what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you onto another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. 

I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true.

12 January, 1946 (what. an. introduction.)

I want to ask a kindness of you. Could you send me the name and address of a bookshop in London? I would like to order more of Charles Lamb's writings by post. I would also like to ask if anyone has ever written his life story, and if they have, could a copy be found for me? For all his bright and turning mind, I think Mr. Lamb must have had a great sadness in his life.

Kiss Dominic for me and tell him I saw a rat the size of a terrier the other day. 

Love to Alexander and even more to you, Juliet

Oh, there's no need to recite the dread rolls to you, but Sophie—what is the matter with me? Am I too particular? I don't want to be married just to be married. I can't think of anything lonelier than spending the rest of my life with someone I cant talk to, or worse, someone I can't be silent with. 

I swear, Sophie, I think there's something wrong with me. Every man I meet is intolerable. Perhaps I should set my sights lower— not so low as the grey doctor who clicks, but a bit lower. I can't even blame it on the war— I was never very good at men, was I? 

Do you suppose the St. Swithin's furnace-man was my one true love? Since I never spoke to him, it seems unlikely, but at least it was a passion unscathed by disappointment. 

I wish I could sneak away to your farm and have you coddle me. You'd let me put my feet on the sofa, wouldn't you? And then you’d tuck blankets around me and bring me tea. Would Alexander mind a permanent resident on his sofa? You've told me he is a patient man, but perhaps he would find it annoying.

Why am I so melancholy? I should be delighted at the prospect of reading Izzy to an entranced audience. You know how I love talking about books, and you know how I adore receiving com- pliments. I should be thrilled.

The beloved, life-affirming international bestseller which has sold over 5 million copies worldwide - now a major film starring Lily James, Matthew Goode, Jessica Brown Findlay, Tom Courtenay and Penelope Wilton To give them hope she must tell their story It's 1946. The war is over, and Juliet Ashton has writer's block. But when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey – a total stranger living halfway across the Channel, who has come across her name written in a second hand book – she enters into a correspondence with him, and in time with all the members of the extraordinary Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Through their letters, the society tell Juliet about life on the island, their love of books – and the long shadow cast by their time living under German occupation. Drawn into their irresistible world, Juliet sets sail for the island, changing her life forever.

Mr Brouard reads obituaries (he has hopes, but won’t say who)

I have gone to [this bookshop] for years, always finding the one book I wanted - and then three more I hadn’t known I wanted.

Michaela

Julie Twist

This book is written in the form of letters - I'm not usually a fan of this form of writing, as I find it disjointed, but I'm so glad I persevered with this book as it's a lovely story. It doesn't give you a huge insight into Guernsey during the WWII occupation, but concentrates on people's relationships during that time, and immediately after liberation.

Steffi'sBookShelve

Dit is echt een van de beste boeken die ik in de laatste jaren heb gelezen!

Christine

2021: Elizabeth and Christian HURTS but also there was this odd detail of almost too much detail in the letters I'm like nearly positive no one would have to reiterate details the recipient would've already known in their letters,,, problems of writing an epistolary novel i guess
--
tmw you grab like 20 books for $5 @ your library
yehehe

i did enjoy this one but there could've been a lot more of the story

“Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true.”
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A heartwarming story revolving around a small island town recovering from German occupation during WW2, with a bit of found-family trope and a sweet little romance thrown in there for good measure.
Despite its potentially dark and somewhat disturbing moments (as all World War stories inevitably have), it was uplifting despite the sadness. It was hopeful, sad, wholesome, heartbreaking, funny and endearing all at the same time.
That being said, talking about the style of the book, I found that the epistolary format did have its weaknesses at times, but the negatives did not outweigh the positives in this case. Overall it was a very enjoyable and emotional read.


P.S. Casting Lily James as Juliet in the movie adaptation seems to be a perfect move, because that is exactly who I had in mind while I was reading. I haven’t watched the movie yet, but now I am really tempted.

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4.5/5

oh my god the charm, the quiet yearning, the affection of people coming together for love in spite of the horrors of the world. a book for the heart, always.

rin 🐇

In 1946, writer Juliet Ashton finds inspiration for her next book in her correspondence with a native of Guernsey, who tells her about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a book club born as an alibi during German occupation.

Soha

3.75 stars.

Oh, how I wish I could find some inscription in an old book. Maybe a proclamation of love? Maybe just the name of its previous owner or some scribbles on the pages. 

Part I started off really well, Part II was less engaging for me until the point when (view spoiler)[Isola reads out the letters written to her Grandma (by a stranger who we come to later know was a famous artist), at a Society meeting (hide spoiler)]. 

Overall, it was very heartwarming ❤

Laura Mauler

After wading through/abandoning a string of subpar books, I was pretty down on reading. Many evenings and afternoons were wasted dithering on the computer because reading had become a chore; there was no joy. (Did I mention I'm a librarian?) Then this book came into my life and brought the electric love back to reading. I just finished the book a half hour ago and am wallowing in the book version of post-coital bliss, so this review is a little sappier than usual. I do not apologize.

Aamna

Libertad Aguilar

I really loved this book. I felt that character development was amazing. It didn't seem to have the same tone for each one and I appreciated that. The ending was great and may be enough closer for some but I needed just a tad more. I feel the movie did NOT do it justice, as it usually is that way...

"A glorious, gorgeous, completely irresistible novel, Guernsey will win hearts everywhere. An affecting, emotional epistolary novel recalling the charm and warmth of 84 Charing Cross Road and the gentle wit of Alexander McCall Smith, Guernsey tells the story of a small group of neighbors on the island of Guernsey off the coast of England. A pig farmer, an elegant lady, a potion maker, a rag and bone man, a footman posing as a lord who survive the Nazi occupation in the Second World War by gathering over humble potato peel pie to talk of Shakespeare, Chaucer, and the great novels. With the war over, Juliet, an eager writer from London, uncovers just how dramatic the lives of these islanders really were during the war, and through them, discovers the drama in her own life. Guernsey is a real gem of a novel. It's that rare thing: a small story, simply told, that contains within it enormous depth and heart. Completely accessible and immediately captivating, the characters are nothing short of enchanting. Gloriously honest, moving, sweet and funny, a sheer delight from beginning to end, this is truly a book to fall in love with."--Provided by publisher.

Bilge Ince

Light griefs are loquacious, but the great are dumb 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society hit me from my heart. At first, I watched the movie with no knowledge of the book. What a shame, isn't it. Then, I learned about the book but I couldn't find the courage to start the book so far. I sensed that I need to read this book, in these days we spent in quarantine forcefully.

The book is about the German occupation in one of the Channel Islands of Guernsey. Now, we certainly know that Jews are the ones who suffer most during the occupation and we heard many stories about it. Yet, I always wondered how the rest of the people lived and what they had been through. So, the book changes the direction to the Islanders' life during the occupation. Juliet who is an author had a letter one day from a fellow of Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She got curious about society and when she digs about it, found a whole story starts from occupation full of love, hate, misery, giving sacrifice. And after that, she sent many letters and she got many letters from Island as well which turns out a new beginning for her. It's a book that is amazing, heartwarming and breaking at the same time, based on a true story and worth giving it a shot.

Jonathan Tysick

The letter format had me feeling like I was snooping on people's mail! Witty, enjoyable, informative, humorous, and with strong characters to carry a just fast enough pace. Worth reading! Looking forward to the film.

Ann Mary Shaffer

The beloved, life-affirming international bestseller which has sold over 5 million copies worldwide - soon to be a major film coming in April 2018, starring Lily James, Matthew Goode, Jessica Brown Findlay, Tom Courtenay and Penelope WiltonTo give them hope she must tell their storyIt's 1946. The war is over, and Juliet Ashton has writer's block. But when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey - a total stranger living halfway across the Channel, who has come across her name written in a second hand book - she enters into a correspondence with him, and in time with all the members of the extraordinary Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Through their letters, the society tell Juliet about life on the island, their love of books - and the long shadow cast by their time living under German occupation. Drawn into their irresistible world, Juliet sets sail for the island, changing her life forever.

Nessa Luna

Colleen

4 Stars

I put off reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society for a few years partly because the title sounded weird, partly because it is coauthored, and partly because I got burnt out on WWII fiction. But I came across it again and decided to give it a try. I was surprised how engaging the story was particularly since it was told entirely through letters. 

As Europe was putting itself back together in the wake of WWII, a chance circumstance led writer Juliet Ashton to correspond with some inhabitants of the island of Guernsey. It's mostly glossed over in history, but the Channel Islands, including Guernsey, were occupied by the German forces for most of WWII. I appreciated the historical research that went into the story and representing a part of the war that has been largely forgotten.

The story was not quite what I expected, but it was engaging and heartwarming. I did not expect the epistolary format to be that engaging. But the characters were vivid and charming. Juliet was a bit of a flibbertigibbet but still endearing. And the tone found a good balance between ironic humor and raw recollections about the devastations of war. The story had some surprisingly poignant moments. It even made my eyes sting a couple of times. 

But the story suddenly turned very chick lit towards the end. It was cute but surprisingly fluffy particularly given the other poignant moments. And the plot was a bit farfetched. But if you suspend your belief about the plot and don't mind the frothy romance parts, this is a heartwarming novel.


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 3 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 4 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 4 Stars
Originality: 4 Stars

RECOMMENDATIONS
If you like this, try Dear Mrs. Bird

Taylor Rae Peterson

This story was heartwarming and sweet in a way that makes you believe that everything in this world truly does happen for a reason, but it was SLOW. This was my first audiobook ever so that's probably a massive contribution to my reasoning

The beloved, life-affirming international bestseller which has sold over half a million copies worldwide - soon to be a major film coming in April 2018, starring Lily James, Matthew Goode, Jessica Brown Findlay, Tom Courtenay and Penelope WiltonIt's 1946. The war is over, and Juliet Ashton has writer's block. But when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey - a total stranger living halfway across the Channel, who has come across her name written in a second hand book - she enters into a correspondence with him, and in time with all the members of the extraordinary Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Through their letters, the society tell Juliet about life on the island, their love of books - and the long shadow cast by their time living under German occupation. Drawn into their irresistible world, Juliet sets sail for the island, changing her life forever.

Sofia Nunes

“That's what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you to another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It's geometrically progressive - all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment.”

This is a book to be enjoyed by the sea on a Saturday afternoon with wind in your hair and only the seagulls as a company. And, well, all the many characters of this story. On a forgotten island, that's better.




  “We clung to books and to our friends; they reminded us that we had another part to us.”

I fell in love with Juliet Ashton and Dawsey Adams, as well as Isola Pribby and her parrot Zenobia. It's a delighting story, soothing all the way, with funny remarks on every page. I didn't love the letter format at first, but I flew by the last hundred pages. 

Now all I want it's to be a part of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Off I go to rewatch the film once again.

Steph Lodico

The book is formatted by various letters and telegrams, for the most part. That isn’t something I tend to like, but these authors did a phenomenal job with it. I forgot I was reading letters instead of description and dialogue most of the time because the characters and the story masterfully came alive through the letters. Every character was so different and lovely, and the letters, most particularly Juliet’s, were so funny and uplifting without disgracing the heavier topics. I only wish the authors had given a bit more conclusion to Juliet’s new book idea and future, but on the whole I was quite satisfied with this unique and heartwarming tale.

Taylor

!!!!

recommended listening: https://open.spotify.com/track/2WTWiW...

pt 2: https://open.spotify.com/track/5vQSN4...

Clara

Simple, yet beautifully told story by Mary Ann Shaffer who definitely had a talent for storytelling. The characters were so vivid, I saw them living behind the words.

The most heartwarming, glorious and gorgeous novel that you will read all year. ;

Nicole Sonja

I have never wanted to give a book more stars than this one. The writing was beautiful. The characters were brilliant. I also almost insulted someone for giving it a bad review after ONLY reading the first couple of pages. So, don't read this book if you want another teen romance or adult fiction. This is a cleverly written, beautiful story of a witty, down to earth writer who travels to Guernsey to write a book about the occupation. Grab a lifelong supply of tea and some snacks before you start. Best to read it when you have time away from people.

Connor 

Every time I read this book, I think I must have imagined how much I love it. Every time I read it, I realize I haven't imagined anything at all. 

Guernsey is the friendliest book I have ever had the privilege to read. Its characters are welcoming and vivacious, and despite being what I would call a CHEERFUL book, it is not FRIVOLOUS. It takes weighty matters and makes them bearable, but no less real or sorrowful. There is dignity and sincerity in its treatment of grief, history, and death, but there is joy and laughter to be found amongst its pages as well. I once described it to a friend as the only book I've ever read to make me laugh until I cried on one page and then burst into tears of sorrow on the next. 

More than anything, this book feels familiar. For all I want to be Juliet and befriend all these people, there is a sense from Guernsey, that, perhaps, you already have... but the sense is never belittling or reproving. 

It is the first book I put on my lists of book recommendations, and I believe it shall stay in its spot for quite some time.

Update, May 2018: One day, I will actually listen to the audiobook all the way through instead of in bits and pieces or starting it and getting too excited to wait and just grabbing a copy and reading it and reading it and reading it and--

Then again, maybe I won't (although seriously, the audiobook is incredible). Either way, the fact remains that Guernsey is a book that soothes my spirit, makes me giggle to myself on the train, and makes me cry at something different every time I read it (literally, I cry about something different every single time). I am grateful it exists.
____

Update, Aug. 6, 2017: what is there to say that I have not already said a hundred times? Guernsey is a favorite for the way it loves you back, the way it loves books the way I do, the way it's not just romance but found family as well, the way joy and love and hope leap off the page and sit you down and tell you to rest for a moment. I might write more on this later because I love it so much, but for now: it is a story about finding a place and people with whom you belong, and it is so full of hope and love and joy at uncertain times that it makes even the modern world feel more bearable. 

____

Every time I pick this book up, I think I can't possibly love it any more than I already do. And every time I start reading, I am overwhelmed by how absolutely untrue that is. This book grows more and more dear to me with every read, whether a full read-through or a few letters here and there when I need a quick pick-me-up (admittedly, those quick pick-me-ups do tend towards me finishing the rest of the novel instead of going to bed at a reasonably hour). 

Guernsey has been dear to me for many years now--the characters are old friends I cannot wait to see once more, and I continue to want to smack Markham V. Reynolds, Jr., with whatever is close at hand when I read about him. The islanders welcome me into their circle as they welcome Juliet--I imagine the book itself makes me feel much as she does upon landing at Guernsey: surrounded by people who already adore you and are only determined to love you more and make you feel at home in a new place that will soon be familiar.

Kirsten Simkiss

BE ADVISED: I recommend watching the Netflix movie FIRST because they change a lot for the sake of the movie. Both are good, however I definitely prefer the richness of the book. Because of the way the movie is structured, the relationships that are built over the course of letters before Juliet arrives on the island are not there in the movie, making the relationships a little more strained at the start of the film. They also omitted characters or changed characters in ways that I thought were a little unnecessary and the details of the scenes were off, though not unreasonably so. For example, there weren't meant to be any large trees on the island since they used all the trees for firewood during the occupation, yet the movie features forest scenery several times while on the island. (To be clear, I finished the book first and watched the movie later the same day that I finished it.)

On to purely the book: This book was really adorable, despite the harsh subject matter. I felt the beginning was slow, but it really built up until you felt like you could love these characters as Juliet does. The second part is definitely more fun to read than the first part. This is a good WWII book for those who don't handle violence well. It does, of course, mention the atrocities that affected Guernsey, but it's not dramatically bad or anything. I don't often read epistolary novels, so I was interested in seeing how this one would handle it once she actually went to visit the island - an inevitability for someone writing a book about a particular place. I felt it made the pace a little slow as the letters had to reference each other to answer questions, a bit like going back and forth in real letters and emails. Still, given the times, it makes perfect sense and it gives you a very intimate sense of each character. As someone who writes creatively for personal enjoyment, I was pleased that every character had their own distinct personality and writing style. 

This book is as much a romance as it is an exploration of the German occupation of Guernsey, which lasted five years. It's also a story about how people cope with surviving something as horrible as the atrocities of WWII. Though none of it is nearly as awful as what those in the most horrible concentration camps faced, the people of Guernsey surely suffered. I found it really interesting as I hadn't read up much on Guernsey. (I also learned Victor Hugo lived there.) I don't want to talk too much about it because there are just so many cute little stories as a part of it.

I do, however, want to encourage you to read it. I feel like this would be an acceptable read for anyone who is aware that WWII had a lot of terrible things happening at the hands of the Nazis. While I think this is intended for adults, I feel like a mature middle schooler could easily enjoy this book.

One of the cutest books I’ve read in a while… All of the characters were so colourfully described I felt like they were my dear friends as well as Juliet’s. The resilience of the people of Guernsey in the horrors of war is inspiring and yet heartbreaking. Not five stars though because I felt the epistolary nature removed the reader from the firsthand experiences- it felt like we were watching from the outside (plus I wanted to hear more details of Juliet and Dawsey’s love story!). A lovely book- read in less than a day

Natasha Musa

This is such a unique book as the storyline, characters are all revealed through a series of letters written between a prominent writer and a group of people who belong to the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The book is funny and full of warmth and through the letters you learn about each individual and their experience during the Occupation. I absolutely love this book and found it UNPUTDOWNABLE. I was up reading it until 5am this morning. A definite must read.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society A Novel

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