Blurb: It’s 1946 and author Juliet Ashton can’t think what to write next.
Out of the blue, she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey – by chance, he’s acquired a book that once belonged to her – and, spurred on by their mutual love of reading, they begin a correspondence.
When Dawsey reveals that he is a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, her curiosity is piqued and it’s not long before she begins to hear from other members.
As letters fly back and forth with stories of life in Guernsey under the German Occupation, Juliet soon realizes that the society is every bit as extraordinary as its name.
This book is a beautiful experience. The author has managed to capture the horror and fear of wartime occupation in the light, warm style of a sweet romance.
There is a perfect balance of the bitter and sweet here; potatoes and prose; literary discussion and love story. Obviously the literary references and character bibliophilia are appealing to a book-loving reader, but they are kept accessible and easy to read, so shouldn’t be off-putting to more casual readers.
The story is told through correspondence between the main character Juliet, her friends, and the Guernsey community who become her friends. This ‘collected letters’ approach not only gives us insight into each character directly via their own words and in their own voice, giving an intimate, familiar feel to the narrative, but also mimics non-fiction historical memoirs, which gives added weight and poignancy to the Occupation elements.
Overall this book is wonderful for fans of romance, historical fiction and light-hearted, humorous reads with heart. It is also a particularly good pick for book groups as it is a quick and easy read, but with plenty of scope for discussion. Definitely recommended.
Because there is nothing I would rather do than rummage through bookshops, I went at once to Hastings & Sons Bookshop upon receiving your letter. I have gone to them for years, always finding the one book I wanted – and then three more I hadn’t known I wanted.
– Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
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Bookshine And Readbows 