• Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

    Date: 2009.07.20 | Category: Books, Friends, Reviews | Tags:

    The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie SocietyphpC3NlmT
    by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

    I have been in London but a week or so and have already read this book twice.  The first time, I rushed through it because I was entralled with the plotline and the characters.  But the second read, I took slowly and enjoyed it even more.

    The title alone (The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society) was enough to have me hooked because I needed to know just want this “society” was.  The book takes place in London and on the island of Guernsey, just south of England– what perfect timing for my reading of the book.

    In short, this story– all written in letters between the many characters– tells the story of Juliet Ashton, a British author, and her getting to know the people of Guernsey Island through their letters and eventual meeting.  The story takes place following the second World War.  The people of the island share their stories with Ashton, which eventually gives her the idea of writing a book about the German occupation of the island– and of their Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

    It has been a long time since I have been so captivated by a story.  My only criticism is that is ended too suddenly.  I would have been happy with another one or two hundred pages.  As it is, the book is an easy-read of 274 pages.  I was able to read it in a few hours (the first read, I stayed up until 2:15 in the morning reading it- that’s what vacation is for!).  The style, written in letters, makes it very easy to pick up and put back down again- not that you will be able to do so.

    I won’t share any more than this, but I encourage you to take a trip to your local library or bookshop and find a copy of this book.

    I must give credit to my friend, Mimi, who recommended this book to me.  Thank you.