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Florence (Lefty) MacIntosh's Reviews > The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
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Florence (Lefty) MacIntosh's review
bookshelves: cozy, historical-fiction, wit, 2012, war, debut, lit-usa, reviewed
Jul 20, 2012
bookshelves: cozy, historical-fiction, wit, 2012, war, debut, lit-usa, reviewed
I came so close to giving this book a pass. I dislike short stories, this one looked even worse in that the entire book is written as a series of letters, Yuk! Dead wrong...20 pages in I got used to the format & was completely hooked. It just sweeps you along in a gentle tale of how folks on a small island bonded together to survive the absolutely harrowing German occupation during WW2. Hard-hitting subject? You bet; but it’s laugh out loud funny with dialog as clever as any I’ve read since ‘The Importance of Being Ernest�
I wish I was clever & witty, what a lost art. My husband brings me flowers in the winter, the best I can come up with is “Nice hon, can you grab something I can stick these in?� Not Juliet� “Why I deserve to live in a bower, when everyone else has to be satisfied with bedraggled leafless trees and slush, I don’t know, but I’m perfectly delighted to do so.� Beautiful�
You’ll enjoy despising characters like Miss Adelaide Addison, others you’ll adore. My personal favorite was Isola Pribby; self described as raw-boned & ugly with a fondness for the Bronte girls � poor lambs. Anyway, if you want to immerse yourself in a delectable book, you’ve found it.
I wish I was clever & witty, what a lost art. My husband brings me flowers in the winter, the best I can come up with is “Nice hon, can you grab something I can stick these in?� Not Juliet� “Why I deserve to live in a bower, when everyone else has to be satisfied with bedraggled leafless trees and slush, I don’t know, but I’m perfectly delighted to do so.� Beautiful�
You’ll enjoy despising characters like Miss Adelaide Addison, others you’ll adore. My personal favorite was Isola Pribby; self described as raw-boned & ugly with a fondness for the Bronte girls � poor lambs. Anyway, if you want to immerse yourself in a delectable book, you’ve found it.
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Reading Progress
July 20, 2012
– Shelved
July 26, 2012
–
Started Reading
July 30, 2012
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-17 of 17 (17 new)
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Doug
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rated it 5 stars
Jul 31, 2012 05:33PM
Loved this book for the same reasons as you did. What a great tale. And the way it ended was very touching, wasn't it? Could be a good movie. Nice review
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Doug wrote: "Loved this book for the same reasons as you did. What a great tale. And the way it ended was very touching, wasn't it? Could be a good movie. Nice review"You know it was your review that convinced me to read it. So thanks Doug. Sad that the author died after publishing just this one book, I would have loved to read another by her. Sigh
I had the same thought. I was such a clever and real way to deliver a great story. I was just like you worried about it at first. There were a few minor corny things towards the end but too bad there isn't a follow up story. I almost wanted to head to the island to visit.
Great Review Florence! I too, was at first, put off by the format of this book. Lesson learned though, cause I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Arah-Lynda wrote: "Great Review Florence! I too, was at first, put off by the format of this book. Lesson learned though, cause I thoroughly enjoyed it."Thanks Arah-Lynda! I appreciate that. Guess neither of us like the idea of a letter format for a book, but fun when you try something anyway & end up liking it. Like spinach:)
Lisa, thankyou for that. Honestly The Importance of Being Earnest is one of the few plays I've actually read. Hands down my all time favorite on stage though. Oscar Wilde defines sharp, clever wit, adore him - plus he's infinitely quotable!
It's always fun to think about this great book.
Florence, I love reading and seeing TIOBE. I've read many plays I've loved, though no new ones for many years now.
Doug wrote: "It's always fun to think about this great book."Agree Doug - remember it so well because I really didn't think I'd like it at all - glad I gave it a chance.
Lisa wrote: "Florence, I love reading and seeing TIOBE. I've read many plays I've loved, though no new ones for many years now."Quite a few in my family are actors Lisa. Plays I've read were only to help out by reading out loud one of the parts - I never wanted to hit the boards myself, but it' always been great fun just being around it.
Florence, I can see that being fun. Aside from high school, I've never been interested in acting, but I enjoy their work.
Would this work in audio?
Kwoomac wrote: "Would this work in audio?"Don't know Kwoomac, I don't go the audio route (unless I'm on a road trip) Can't seem to concentrate as well listening as I do reading a book - I've tried(: I'd think it would though.
Lovely review Florence! PS: The audio is wonderful! Different narrators bring out the characters beautifully!
Britany wrote: "Lovely review Florence! PS: The audio is wonderful! Different narrators bring out the characters beautifully!"Thanks Britany, I bet this would be great as an audio - absolutely the type of story that lends itself to being read aloud!
I'm listening to the audio now and LOVING IT! You should definitely check it out, it really helps define the characters so they don't all sound alike.
