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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society | 
 enlarge | Authors: Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
Publisher: The Dial Press
Category: Book
List Price: $22.00
Buy New: $12.50
You Save: $9.50 (43%)
New (40) Used (17) Collectible (3) from $12.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  367 reviews
Sales Rank: 33
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.8 x 1
ISBN: 0385340990
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780385340991
ASIN: 0385340990
Publication Date: July 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
“ 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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 362 more reviews...
 Appreciating Literature Through Letters January 5, 2009
This book is composed entirely of letters. It follows the protagonist, Juliet, who's a struggling author. She is trying to find an idea to write a new book. An opportunity comes up when she receives a letter from a man called Dawsey from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which is basically just a literary appreciation society.
As they exchange letters, Juliet becomes more and more intrigued with their society. She is eventually led to the town of Guernsey where she meets a lot of the members from the society whom she has been exchanging letters with.
I loved this book. I think Mary Ann Shaffer painted a lovely picture of all characters through these exchange of letters. We are able to appreciate each characters' attributes and flaws through these letters and can understand them through Juliet's eyes.
 jane austen would love this book January 2, 2009
Absolutely my favorite book of the year hands down! I suggested this book so many times at the bookstore during Christmas! Can't rave about it enough. Oh how Jane Austen would love this book! Books and stories like this don't come around often these days so I'm grateful this one got written, was accepted and bought and read with such enthusiasm. Only sad thing is that we won't be getting another book from this incredibly gifted author. I hope she's writing in heaven and having a literary ball!
An Excellent and Touching Book January 2, 2009
I enjoyed this book immensely and I will be giving it to people I love. It is a history of the German occupation of one of the Channel Islands during World War II (Guernsey) and how the people survived without much food and with horrible things happening. And yet how they were able to make it through and maintain their sense of humor, deepen their relationships with others, and sometimes, the best of them, lost their lives. It is the story of heroic people who care more about others than themselves. It is the story of how literature and good books can make all of the difference in someone's life, and it is a refreshing story of a young and great female author and how she finds her life in a place she least expects. The life she finds is amazingly heartfelt and palpable.
There are many hilarious moments, tear inducing moments, insights into many different types of personalities, as well as great love and compassion that good people show to others. Each of the primary characters are different and well described to the point where I loved them and sometimes held my breath for them.
There are several heartbreaking sub stories about children being separated from parents, and parents dying in the war or dying young and leaving little orphans behind. And yet the stories aren't lugubrious, they are positive and good people step in to fill in for the lost parents.
This is one of the most positive and uplifting books I have ever read. I loved it.
Just lovely January 2, 2009
I read this book on my Kindle (Merry Christmas to me) and I absolutely loved it. The format of the letters was much better than just a book of fiction would have been. The characters were reality driven, you can just imagine any of them in real life. I loved the historical aspects to the story as well and the ties to WWII, all of the details in this book I had no idea about. Just a wonderful, easy read.
 Unrealistic fluff (sorry) January 2, 2009
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Bibliophiles and anglophiles will enjoy this book for its embracement of a literary society, references to classic British authors' lives and its epistolary style. Its description of life in the Channel Island of Guernsey during and soon after World War II will raise readers' interest.
However, the characters seem to be caricatures: few people Britain have names like "Darsey" except in Bronte-sister books.
More research would have made this book more believable and interesting. For example, No-one in 1946 would have taken a sudden trip to Australia and the mail boat to the island took six hours and would not have been an evening sail. The Channel Islands' inhabitants have many traditions that are distinct from those in Britain: many inhabitants have French surnames. A farmer was unlikely to own one cow. These characteristics did not come out in the book.
The facts about wartime life in the island are though, based on true historical events. Although many seem to be included in the book in a very disjointed manner and with not-so-believable effect.
Being as I seem to be in the minority in not recommending this book, if after reading this book your interest in wartime life in the Channel Islands is sufficiently raised, may I suggest the true story "Prison without Bars" by Frank Keiller.
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