The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
By: Annie Barrows, Mary Ann Shaffer
The beloved, life-affirming international bestseller which has sold over 5 million copies worldwide - now a major film starring Lily James, Matthew Goode, Jessica Brown Findlay, Tom Courtenay and Penelope WiltonTo give them hope she must tell their storyIt's 1946. The war is over, and Juliet Ashton has writer's block. But when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey - a total stranger living halfway across the Channel, who has come across her name written in a second hand book - she enters into a correspondence with him, and in time with all the members of the extraordinary Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Through their letters, the society tell Juliet about life on the island, their love of books - and the long shadow cast by their time living under German occupation. Drawn into their irresistible world, Juliet sets sail for the island, changing her life forever.
AI Overview
Plot Summary: "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer is a historical novel set on the island of Guernsey, Channel Islands, during and after World War II. The story begins in 1941 when four friends are stopped by German soldiers for breaching curfew. To avoid arrest, they claim to be returning from a meeting of their book club, which they hastily name "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society."
Five years later, in January 1946, the author Juliet Ashton (writing under the pen name Izzy Bickerstaff) is promoting her latest book in London. She receives a letter from Dawsey Adams, a Guernsey man who has come into possession of her copy of Charles Lamb's "Essays of Elia." Dawsey asks Juliet where he can find another book by Lamb and mentions that he is part of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Juliet sends Dawsey a book by Lamb and his sister, "Tales from Shakespeare," and arranges to travel to Guernsey to learn more about the society. During her visit, she meets Dawsey and other members of the society, including Elizabeth McKenna, Amelia Stewart, and Sidney Stark. Through their stories and letters, Juliet learns about the islanders' experiences during the German occupation and their resilience and love for literature.
Key Themes:
- Literature and Community: The novel highlights the power of literature to bring people together and provide comfort during difficult times.
- Resilience and Hope: The characters' stories showcase their ability to find hope and resilience in the face of occupation and hardship.
- Love and Human Connection: The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and human connection, particularly through Juliet's relationships with the islanders.
- Historical Context: The book provides a unique perspective on the German occupation of Guernsey and its impact on the islanders.
Critical Reception: The book has received widespread critical acclaim for its unique storytelling style, which is presented through a series of letters exchanged between Juliet and the Guernsey residents. Critics have praised the novel for its historical accuracy, engaging characters, and the way it weaves together the personal stories of the islanders with the broader historical context of the war.
- Book Review by Kristi Drilling: "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was formed during the German occupation of the island, and became so much more. The book is a testament to the power of literature and community in times of war and hardship."
- Wikipedia Entry: The film adaptation (2018) directed by Mike Newell received positive reviews, with many praising the performances and the way it brought the characters to life. The novel itself has been described as a "glorious story" that "refreshed" readers and rekindled their love for reading.
Overall, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" is a heartwarming and historically significant novel that celebrates the transformative power of literature and human connection.