October - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Marie Anne Shaffer and Annie Burrows
Chosen by John. Average score 7.5
Meeting on
“ I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.” 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.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways
Annie Burrows Website here
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.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways
Annie Burrows Website here
Bookworms' Verdicts
John
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I read this when it first came out a few years ago so I was interested to see if I enjoyed it as much. As I started it I remember how it took me a while to get into the letter format and it also took a while to understand who was who, in fact the first few letters are more off-putting than inviting but as the main characters became more fixed I became hooked. I liked the light, almost frivolous style of Juliet's letters and the little witty one-liners which add a Wodehouse touch of humour. I also thought that the author did a good job of changing the style of the letter to suit the author. I found the beginning of the book more interesting and a more enjoyable read than the the second "Guernsey" part, where I felt the letter format became a bit of a straight-jacket.
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7
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Lisa
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Didn't manage to read
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Nick
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Quoting from a radio broadcast today "Stereotyped, Dull, dull, dull". Found it difficult to get into but enjoyed the first part more than the Guernsey part. Thought that the author had a stereo-typical cast of characters. Found Elizabeth too good to be true and couldn't care less about most of the people. How could someone arrive in a place and a few weeks later adopt a child? Having said that, did quite enjoy it
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6
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Ceri
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Enjoyed it. First part was frothy and light but the second part was much darker. Found some of the characters to be silly and unbelievable - in the manner of "Cold Comfort Farm" but without the intended satire. It was a light read and overall was enjoyable but wouldn't recommend it.
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8
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Marilyn
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Really liked the book and liked the letter style where everyone is writing in the first person and you get different viewpoints on the same situations. Why don't people write letters so much these days? Did not think Elizabeth was too good to be true but thought she was very likeable and essential to the story. Did find the way Juliet acquired a husband and child so quickly was unbelievable and some of the characters were silly, but nevertheless like the book
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7
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Matt
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Also enjoyed the book. Despite all the books related to the war that we have read this was fascinating in the way it dealt with the little known aspect of the occupation of the Channel Islands and also the aftermath of the war. Thought the letter format was a powerful way of telling the story but also limiting. The book did keep me engaged and overall I enjoyed it.
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7
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Tony
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A quote that sums up the joy of reading:
"That's what I love about reading; one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you on to another book, and another bit there will lead you on to a third book. It's geometrically progressive - all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment." Liked the book and found it resonated with me. Like the way the characters were evocative of the period. Particularly liked the character of Elizabeth her courage and compassion. |
8
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Angela
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(by email) I very much enjoyed the GLPPPS book, once I'd 'got into it' ..... the fragmented nature of letters to and from a variety of characters took a little getting used to at the start of the book. It's a very interesting use of 'viewpoint' to be reading in the 1st person (the letter writer) about not only how they feel, but about all sorts of other characters as well. I loved all the characters - (except the 2 horrid critical ladies used as contrast.......) - especially Elizabeth and Juliet, who 'set each other off' admirably.
I was fascinated with all the Guernsey WW2 experiences, it's somewhere I know very little about - perhaps a trip is now in order..... I wondered whether it had been chosen because it is about a Book Club....... full of interesting characters, just like ours.....! |
8
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Sarah
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(by email)I was a bit dubious about reading this when I heard the title because I couldn't imagine what it could possibly be about. However, I was pleasantly suprised. I really really enjoyed it. Whilst being funny with slightly ecentric characters, it was also factual. I had no idea Gurnsey had such a hard time during the war. I also liked the romance. The only part I did find strange was that a comparative stranger arrived on the island and within a few weeks a child is living with her with a view to adoption.
This was a book I struggled to put down |
9
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Jackie
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Had read before and enjoyed
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