The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, 274 pagesthemed reading challenge (I know it doesn't really start until February, but some books are hard to get at the library and you have to take them when they come)
Guernsey Island, a small English holding just off the coast of France was occupied by the Germans during World War II. Just after the war, an English journalist begins a correspondence with some people from the island. They relate their experiences during the war and the occupation and through their letters, Juliet, the journalist, gets to know and appreciate them. The whole story is told in letters to, from or about Juliet. Each character had their own voice and their letters told so much more than what was printed.
It surprised me how such a sweet little story with quirky yet real characters could whack you with Nazi atrocities every now and then. But it also showed lots of brave and courageous moments. At its heart, this is a story about love and survival, with books and war thrown it. I quite enjoyed it. You know an author did a good job of describing a location when you want to visit after finishing the book. This is the second book set on Guernsey during the war I've read; I read A Place of Hiding by Elizabeth George several years ago.
I have this on my list to read. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this one for several months now--I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteGreat book, huh? I really liked it. :)
ReplyDeleteThis was one of my top 3 reads of last week! Glad you enjoyed it to.
ReplyDeleteThis is a book I am really looking forward to reading. Thanks for the lovely review!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a wonderful book, too!
ReplyDeletepam, laura, teddy rose - I imagine you'll enjoy the book. It reads so easy and I really like the letters format.
ReplyDeletekailana, marg, and joy - I can see why you all enjoyed it so much. I'm sure your reviews all contributed to my wanting to read it.
Glad to see you enjoyed it! I read this last summer and I have to say that it's one of the best I read last year.
ReplyDeleteI need to read this. I have read loads of good reviews and everyone seems to have enjoyed it. I'll probably be the last person to read it by the time I get to it!
ReplyDeleteI've heard this title dozens of times, but never had a clue what this book was about. Well, it's now going straight to the wish list! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this one! It is true that they were quirky, but that was fun for me, it drew me in because really we are all quirky :) Great review!
ReplyDeletethis was one of my top books from 2008, loved it.
Great book! I am actually re-reading it right now for a book group tomorrow. Since I just read it a few months ago, I probably don't need to re-read it but I want to!
ReplyDeleteI just bought this book! So thanks for the review....it's top of my TBR pile.
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