Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“That’s what I love about reading; one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you onto another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It’s geometrically progressive-all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment.”

This book was fabulous! I took my time to read it, hoping to catch every little line and curve that it took and it was well worth the time.

January 1946: writer Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger, Dawsy Adams, a founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. He has come to obtain a book that once belonged to her and wished to know her thoughts (she often writes in the margins of her books).

Set in both London and Guernsey Island, this novel follows Juliet as she becomes friends with the inhabitants of the island shortly after the end of World War II. Written in letters, Juliet learns of the occupied island and its deprivations, as well as the resounding spirit of the people who live there. As she writes, she becomes more and more intrigued with the stories of the people who survived the hard times, and she decides to create a book based on their experiences. In order to gather more information, Juliet moves temporarily to the island and soon finds herself immersed in the culture and relationships.

I loved the characters. I loved Juliet most of all. I felt connected to them and their history. I would recommend this book to ANY book lover, both my parents and my sister before they travel to England next summer, Granma Bea and Aunt Lesley. There is of course a little love story involved.

I am reviewing this for MY book club. I think my book club should have a name like the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society but I don't think anything could beat that honestly!