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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society  By  cover art

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

By: Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer, Susan Duerden, Rosalyn Landor, John Lee, Juliet Mills
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Publisher's summary

Number-one New York Times Best Seller

Now a Netflix Film

A remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German Occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name.

“Treat yourself to this book, please - I can’t recommend it highly enough.” (Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love)

“I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb....

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends - and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island - boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.

Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

Praise for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

“A jewel... Poignant and keenly observed, Guernsey is a small masterpiece about love, war, and the immeasurable sustenance to be found in good books and good friends.” (People)

“A book-lover’s delight, an implicit and sometimes explicit paean to all things literary.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

“A sparkling epistolary novel radiating wit, lightly worn erudition and written with great assurance and aplomb.” (The Sunday Times [London])

“Cooked perfectly à point: subtle and elegant in flavour, yet emotionally satisfying to the finish.” (The Times [London])

©2008 Marry Ann Shaffrer and Annie Barrows (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

What listeners say about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    10,134
  • 4 Stars
    2,524
  • 3 Stars
    736
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    8,233
  • 4 Stars
    1,887
  • 3 Stars
    578
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I wasn't sure I'd like it

But it's wonderful! The characters are memorable, and the many talented readers help to keep the characters straight in your head. The readers bring so much personality to each of the characters that I am grateful I got this first as an audiobook. Reading it myself wouldn't have been as good.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful experience.

I was so sorry when this book ended. You come to love the characters. It is a sweet,wonderful experience and really a book enhanced by the audible experience. The readers are perfect and make it all come alive.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Skeptical at first...

I was wary of this book at first because I thought the format of letters back and forth would get really tiring and irritating.

Much to the contrary, I found that I "couldn't put this book down." The format actually lends itself very well to an audiobook.

In addition to a fabulous story, the readers were absolutely phenomenal. They brought depth and personality to each of the characters.

Overall, one of my favorite, if not the favorite audiobook to date.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

It doesn't stop at the end

This tale is one of those that lives in you and leaves you wondering what continues to happens with the characters after the story ends. I've found myself wondering what happened with this or someone while I'm folding laundry and I've pounded the Internet for photos and history of the times. The writing creeps up on you with cats feet, causing you to surrender to the plot through the characters. I suspect this is a tale I'll pick up again and again for the sheer delight of it.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Surprisingly Great

I bought this book not sure what to expect but I loved it. I usually buy mysteries/thrillers but this book seemed interesting and it was. It's told via a series of letters between the characters which could be quite dry but the narrators are wonderful. It's written almost as if the people are talking to each in person, not thru letters. I don't know if I would have enjoying reading this book but it was wonderful to listen to. Don't know that I've ever adored a book but that fits for this one.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Hallmark Hall of Fame movie material?

What a wonderful cast of characters and readers. I typically find when a "cast" reads the story the narration doesn't work as well. However, with this book it worked wonderfully, possibly because of the format of telling the story through the letters. The presentation of the German concentration camp experiences was perfectly managed without getting too graphic. I think this would make a great Hallmark Hall of Fame movie.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

delightful

This was a very delightful book. The format is one you don't find very often and I thought it well written. Although the story dealt with the German occupation in WWII, it did not get bogged down in brutal details, but showed the better side of humanity for the most part. The ending, which you can see coming almost from the beginning, was somewhat of a disappointment. (Maybe because I read a lot of mystery and like to have the ending be a surprise.)
The narration was excellent! If you want a light, enjoyable listen, this book is for you.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Would never work with email

This whole book unfolds in letters. At first it was a little tedious but once the real stories start unfolding you don't even realize the narrative are missives among friends, and sometimes not so friendly. Probably one of the best ways I've read about World War II. Enjoyable and heart warming.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best books ever

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. What a lovely story and the readers were marvelous. I will treasure this one.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

This is a classic

Wow! What a history lesson and above all a wonderful piece of literature. The whole book from the first paragraph to the last was a true work of art. This is a must for all to hear!!

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