"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

GoldensRule@evpl — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:27:00 GMT

An absolutely gem of a little book, this is one that has become popular through word of mouth. Set on the iIsland of Guernsey immediately following WWII the book is a series of letters from the islanders to young author, Juliet Ashton in London. Based upon historical fact, Guersnsey was occupied by the Germans during the war, it presents the best and the worst in human beings. The book club was a spur of the moment invention of an islander named Elizabeth to give an alibi to herself and her friends for being out after curfew. Elizabeth is eventually sent away to a prision camp for harboring a fugitive and it is through the letters of her friends that we learn her story and those of the many endearing members of the society. Finally Juliet is so captivated by their stories she journies to Guernsey to meet them and to see for herself how both the island and its people have survived the occupation. A beautifly written book populated with delightful characters who have survived a horrific period in their history. This is fictionalized history at its best. Copies are available at EVPL.

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer

Guatemama@evpl — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:24:00 GMT

In looking for the next "good" book to read I happened upon a review of this title and was quickly drawn in by... well, just about everything. It centers around an unlikely book group. It makes mention of and draws parallels with some great authors and their literary works - the Bronte sisters to name a few. With a setting in London and the Channel Islands just after the German Occupation of World War II, this novel appealed to my love of historical fiction. And it is a debut novel... something I am always fascinated to find and explore!

As I began to read, I was put off just a little by the book's format, a series of letters written between the people of Guernsey and a young author in London, but quickly found this quite charming. (Not to mention this succinct style worked well for me -- a mother of two young children!) I was quickly and thouroughly drawn into the correspondence between this varied group of people. And though I thought I knew what I was getting into with this book, I found it to be anything but predictable. I was hooked from the first page to the last and even with a joyously happy ending I was left wanting to know more. And hoping to read more from Mary Ann Shaffer and her aunt/co-author Annie Barrows in the future!

Find The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society at EVPL

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Books Blog : Guernsey

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer