Sign in with Facebook
Terrie Robinson's Reviews > The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by
by
Terrie Robinson's review
bookshelves: read-in-2020, paperback, fiction, historical-fiction
Jun 18, 2020
bookshelves: read-in-2020, paperback, fiction, historical-fiction
"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer was a delightful read!
What book lover doesn't love a book about reading books? I heard about this one from a post on one of the book club groups I belong to on Facebook. I knew of the history of the Nazi Occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII and this book piqued my interest! I immediately added it to my TBR list and then ordered it from Thriftbooks. When it arrived I devoured it!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a book club that is formed quickly as an alibi for members caught breaking the islands curfew by German soldiers patrolling the island. The gatherings continued as a ruse to hide the lie. What grew from this were deeply loving and supportive friendships and a common bond through the love books.
In Post-war London, Writer, Juliet Ashton, looking for a subject for her next book, receives a letter from Dawsey Adams, a Guernsey Island resident and book club member. Juliet writes a letter back to Dawsey, which begins a letter writing chain of correspondence from other residents, containing fresh memories of Guernsey life during the war. Intrigued by the stories of resilience and survival, and the possibility as a subject for her next book, Juliet decides to visit the island.
This author writes with humor and wit that helps to deflect the intense realities of the Nazi Occupation. Through the characterizations, there is overwhelming love of their island from these residents whose lives were impacted by fear, starvation and a deep longing for the life they knew before the war. Their caring and nurturing of one another was not lost with this war but grew tenfold as a result. Although, there are references to the devastation of the occupation, this book is mostly about the recovery and healing process that begins afterwards.
When I hear about books, such as this one, about WWII I have an unexplained push to reading about it, embracing it as soon as possible. This is exactly how I felt about getting my hands on this sweet little read and I'm so glad I did.
I highly recommend this book to all who love to read!
What book lover doesn't love a book about reading books? I heard about this one from a post on one of the book club groups I belong to on Facebook. I knew of the history of the Nazi Occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII and this book piqued my interest! I immediately added it to my TBR list and then ordered it from Thriftbooks. When it arrived I devoured it!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a book club that is formed quickly as an alibi for members caught breaking the islands curfew by German soldiers patrolling the island. The gatherings continued as a ruse to hide the lie. What grew from this were deeply loving and supportive friendships and a common bond through the love books.
In Post-war London, Writer, Juliet Ashton, looking for a subject for her next book, receives a letter from Dawsey Adams, a Guernsey Island resident and book club member. Juliet writes a letter back to Dawsey, which begins a letter writing chain of correspondence from other residents, containing fresh memories of Guernsey life during the war. Intrigued by the stories of resilience and survival, and the possibility as a subject for her next book, Juliet decides to visit the island.
This author writes with humor and wit that helps to deflect the intense realities of the Nazi Occupation. Through the characterizations, there is overwhelming love of their island from these residents whose lives were impacted by fear, starvation and a deep longing for the life they knew before the war. Their caring and nurturing of one another was not lost with this war but grew tenfold as a result. Although, there are references to the devastation of the occupation, this book is mostly about the recovery and healing process that begins afterwards.
When I hear about books, such as this one, about WWII I have an unexplained push to reading about it, embracing it as soon as possible. This is exactly how I felt about getting my hands on this sweet little read and I'm so glad I did.
I highly recommend this book to all who love to read!
Sign into ŷ to see if any of your friends have read
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
June 16, 2020
–
Started Reading
June 16, 2020
– Shelved
June 18, 2020
–
Finished Reading
August 27, 2020
– Shelved as:
read-in-2020
October 24, 2020
– Shelved as:
paperback
October 24, 2020
– Shelved as:
fiction
October 24, 2020
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
Comments Showing 1-41 of 41 (41 new)
date
newest »
newest »
Edith Coley wrote: "Terrie, I also rated this book high. It was a first rate read for me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the happenings on this isle during World War ll. The book club aspect was the drawing card ..."
I am fascinated with the occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII. If you liked this book and also interested in more info about Guernsey, there is a TV series from the UK on Amazon Prime & also available through YouTube called "Enemy at the Door". It's very good and brings a harsh reality to what happened on Guernsey during this time.
Thanks for the information-l am curious so will check it out more than likely! 😊
Excellent review Terrie. I love those stories which despite a sad subject still have some humor in it. This story reminds me of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan. I loved those deranged ladies :)
Annette wrote: "Excellent review Terrie. I love those stories which despite a sad subject still have some humor in it. This story reminds me of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan. I loved those deranged l..."Thanks so much, Annette! So glad your loved this one, too,! Just wrote down your suggestion above for a good read similar to this one! Thanks for that, too!
Great review, Terrie!
Thanks, Brenda! Loved this book!
I’ve had this one on my IPad along with several other WWll fiction for a while. I’m not sure what I’m waiting for, you’ve sold it to me perfectly. Great review Terrie 👏🏼
Melanie wrote: "I’ve had this one on my IPad along with several other WWll fiction for a while. I’m not sure what I’m waiting for, you’ve sold it to me perfectly. Great review Terrie 👏🏼"Thanks, Melanie! It's a beautiful epistolary novel! I hope you love it as much as I did!
I'm glad you enjoyed this, Terrie! I also enjoyed the way the people of Guernsey rallied round each other and around books and reading. I usually like books written in letters but somehow this one didn't land with me. Maybe it left me wanting more than the letter format could provide. Vive la difference!
I'm glad I did, too, Patricia. And, I'm sorry it didn't work out the same for you. :-D
I'm watching this on Netflix now and enjoying it.
It's a great story, Victoria. I've never seen the movie but the book is fabulous! I hope you enjoy the story no matter the format.
Good review, Terrie! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I liked the movie better than the book. I'd be interested to hear what you'd think about it!
Thanks, Patricia! I haven’t watched the movie yet but plan to. I’ll be sure to let you know my thoughts afterwards!
I loved the book haven't seen the movie let me know what you think?
Wonderful review, Terrie! Glad you loved it so much! I need to move this up on my list!
Barb wrote: "I loved the book haven't seen the movie let me know what you think?"Will do, Barb!
Teenie wrote: "Wonderful review, Terrie! Glad you loved it so much! I need to move this up on my list!"Thanks, Teenie! It's a great story and one of my all time faves!
Excellent review Terrie, great details, you really captured the essence of the book 💖💖💖
Thank you so much, Jennifer! It’s such a unique story and the Channel Islands during the Nazi occupation fascinates me. Four islands were occupied from 6/30/1940 through 5/9/1945 and are actually closer to France, also under Nazi occupation, than to the UK. WWII would have played out very differently, and not in a good way, if the German’s had ever got to England. It’s a frightening thought!
Great review. Some other reviewer noted that this is an ideal book for book-lovers. peace, janz
Thanks, Janz! It’s a wonderful story for many reasons and one of the reasons is the book club called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society which the characters in the book belonged to. A book about people who ❤️ books📚
Terrific review Terrie. I think this did or still exists. I remember seeing some pie club when I went there. Anyway delicious review 💖
Terrie, I loved this one so much ❤️ Your review says wonderfully for this book!
Lovely review, Terrie! Glad that this book was a winner for you as well!
Lovely Terrie! I must read this asap!
Thanks, Margaret! I would love to visit this island that I’m so fascinated with❤️
Thanks, L.A., and I’m so glad you loved this one, too!🥰
Thanks, Debbie, and I’m glad we both loved it!😊
Thanks, Sue! I love epistolary style books and this one’s a gem!
I just saw the movie and was not impressed. Folks who had not read the book thought it was a "nice movie and story" but it was so weak, small. Photography was lovely, actors were great but the story was chopped up. Read the book!
Peacejanz wrote: "I just saw the movie and was not impressed. Folks who had not read the book thought it was a "nice movie and story" but it was so weak, small. Photography was lovely, actors were great but the stor..."I haven’t watched the movie, Janz, but the book is always better, I think!🩵
Your review is spot on. Book about books. Humor and wit. A total winner! Fantastic review.
Beautifully done, Terrie. 👏👏👏
Jonas wrote: "Your review is spot on. Book about books. Humor and wit. A total winner! Fantastic review."Thank you, Jonas! I love epistolary novels and this is one of my favorites. I'm glad you enjoyed this one, too!
Taufiq wrote: "Beautifully done, Terrie. 👏👏👏"I always feel so good about myself when you stop by, Taufiq! Thank you so much!!🌞
A wonderful review Terrie! It's one I always wanted to read 😊
Thank you, Tina! It's a wonderful story and one I think about often.🤍
Fantastic review, Terrie!
Thanks so much, Debra!
happenings on this isle during World War ll. The book club aspect was the drawing card for me.