Fabulous! I truly enjoyed seeing post WWII Guernsey through the 'letters' of Juliet & the literary society.

posted Jan 3, 2009 at 8:30PM

This is a book I had looked forward to reading and was glad to receive it as a gift for Christmas 2008. Many people had said many good things about this book, so I had to read it right away. This story starts about a six months after WWII ended. The main character is a 32 year old writer called Juliet who has written a book and is about to embark on a book tour through England for book signings and readings. When Juliet gets home from her tour she receives a letter from a man called Dawsey on the island of Guernsey asking her about where he can find more books about a writer they both love. He has her address from inside the cover of a book she used to own that ended up in his hands. Dawsey is a farmer and fisherman who lived through the German occupation of Guernsey for five years during the war. Juliet and Dawsey along with other great characters continue to write letters to eachother, which is how this story is told, through the letters. After learning about the the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and how it came about in a letter from Dawsey, Juliet's curiosity is peaked and she decided she needs to know more and would like to use this society for an article she is to write for the Times. These letters end up changing Juliet's life in a way she never expected. I found this book to be a very good read and at times I would forget I was reading fiction. The details of London, the island of Guernsey, the characters, things that happened during the war were so detailed and seemed so real. I couldn't put the book down after getting into it.

posted Jan 15, 2009 at 3:20PM

I absolutely loved this book. It’s one of those books that you just want to meet each and every one of the characters and be a part of their little group. It also gives you an insight into what an occupied small island was like during WWII. Something you cannot even imagine in this lifetime. It’s a true love story too - everything I like in a book!!!

posted Jan 22, 2009 at 9:14PM

It is January, 1946. Juliet is enjoying her new-found success as a writer and the return of England's freedoms now that World War II is over. Then Juliet gets a letter from a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. Intrigued by this strange-sounding book club (who wouldn't be?) Juliet begins corresponding with its members, who founded their club during the German occupation of Guernsey Island. Guernsey's residents share their tragic and comic stories with Juliet through letters, and a witty, quirky cast of characters quickly takes over the book. Juliet becomes so involved in the lives of the Guernsey islanders that she journeys there, sharing events on the island through letters to her editor and her best friend. The book is based on years of research into the Guernsey occupation by author Mary Ann Shaffer and her devotion to this cause and her admiration for what Guernsey suffered is vividly apparent. Despite touching on many of the horrors of war, the story is ultimately light, charming, and sugary sweet. It is an uplifting and heartwarming read that shows how books bring people together.

posted Jun 16, 2009 at 11:07AM

Great book. I especially recommend the audio version. You get an even better feel for the characters. . . and you’re treated to a bit of WWII history, too. The book ended all too soon leaving the reader wishing there would be a sequel. An excellent gift for the holidays.

posted Nov 1, 2009 at 11:44PM

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