The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Synopsis: Writer Juliet Ashton has been looking for inspiration for her next book in post World War II London, when a letter arrives from a man she’s never met. He has a simple request for her assistance, and the two quickly form a friendship. She soon finds herself discovering the story of the island of Guerney during German occupation, and embarking on the adventure of her life.

How can you not love a title like that? When a friend handed me this book and recommended I read it, I look at the title and was honestly a little confused. This is not a title that gives ANY kind of hint as to what it’s actually about. Yet, now having read the book, there could not be a more appropriate title.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is probably one of the more creative stagings I have seen for a historical fiction novel. The entire book is written in letters. I was not expecting that! I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a book that was entirely letters. I really enjoyed it! It was such a great way for the individual characters themselves to tell us their own stories and memories. The authors also, graciously, tell you who each letter is to and from preceding each later. It REALLY helps you keep track of the story.

I know of some people that have a difficult time reading historical fiction, especially in a setting such as WWII, because some books can be quite painful, and hard to read at times. If you are interested in this era of historical fiction, but tend to tread lightly, this is a GREAT read for you in particular. In general, a great read for people who enjoy historical fiction. Overall, it’s a pretty light read. There is a great balance of light heartedness alongside the stories of the German occupation. And while these stories are as tragic as any from WWII, they are not graphic, and are told in short bursts.

I truly enjoyed reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It really is a sweet, very heart warming story. It is an easy, and fairly quick read. The letter format does make it easy to keep reading. The “just one more chapter” syndrome is way harder to fight when the longest section is only a couple of pages. On the flip side, it also works to your advantage if you only have a few minutes to read. Lots of good places to pause.

This is definitely one to add to your list! I highly recommend it!

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