Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 1273
 Charming and entertaining July 25, 2010
Michele
As you might guess just from its whimsical title, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a charming and entertaining read about an episode in history that wasn't at all charming or entertaining: the German occupation of the island of Guernsey during WWII. The book is in epistolary format: a series of letters between the various characters, which makes the tone chatty and the reading fast.
The book takes place from January to September of 1946 and centers on Juliet Ashton: a young writer who has just published her best-selling debut book, and who is now searching for a topic for another book. At the same time she is adjusting to life in post-war London, which is, in some ways, more difficult than life was during the war. She suddenly receives a letter from a stranger on the island of Guernsey, and from this simple beginning sprouts a stream of correspondence between Juliet and various islanders, and her introduction to their Literary Society. Eventually Juliet realizes she has stumbled upon the topic for her next book and she makes a trip to Guernsey to meet the friends she has been corresponding with. She will discover that she has stumbled on much more than just a topic for her next book.
This is a wonderfully entertaining book, and the only reason I am giving it 4 stars rather than 5 is because of a few episodes towards the end. These involved Billie Bee Jones, Gilly Gilbert, the Benoit sisters and Isola Pribby trying to play Miss Marple. Although as stated before, this is a lighthearted book, and although it is obvious what the authors were trying to accomplish, these scenes were just silly. Although all of the Guernsey islanders were somewhat quirky, these particular scenes made them seem cartoonish. It would have been better if the authors would have used some other plot devices to accomplish their purpose.
If you're looking for a serious, thoughtful, even somewhat weighty book on WWII then keep looking because this is not it. Even the serious and sad parts don't feel tremendously sad because, as said, everything is conveyed through letters, memos and telegrams, so the book has a light, chatty feel.
However, if you're looking for a few hours of charming, chatty, entertaining reading, then this is the best example of it I've found in a long, long time.
 Wonderful read! July 25, 2010
K. Duncan (Boston, MA)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are lively, interesting, humorous and heart wrenching. Its one of those books that makes you want to move to where it happened and hope these people really exist. Its one of my new all time favorites, my only regret is that I didn't discover it sooner.
Reading Again July 24, 2010
Myra A Oltsik (White Plains, NY, US)
It's been a while, I'm ashamed to say, since I read a book. This was the perfect one to start me reading again. It's so vivid. The characters are so well drawn, one can really see and feel who they are. And because it's told in letters, it's a very easy read.
good read July 21, 2010
renee
Wonderul book. The style is different and takes a little to get used to. Enjoyed it alot. Learned a few things about WWII also.
Guernsey Literary Society July 20, 2010
Gini Lee
I received this book in a timely manner. It's nice being able to buy a book for a reasonable price.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 1273
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