The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

A Novel

By: Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer, Susan Duerden, Rosalyn Landor, John Lee, Juliet Mills

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

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.

Spectacular

I was absolutely blown away by how much I adore this book! All the feels! And I learned so much that I didn’t know about the war.

Loved it -- Excellent Audiobook

If you could sum up The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in three words, what would they be?

Hilarious, Heart warming

What did you like best about this story?

I loved how each character was brought to life in a way that made you feel like you had known them forever

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrators were what made the book for me. Each characters letter is read by a different narrator which made each character come to life.

Who was the most memorable character of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and why?

Isla

Any additional comments?

I loved this audiobook. I have read other books similar to this from similar time periods and enjoyed them. The narration made the book. It is a book of letters and each letter is ready by the narrator for that character. That helped bring the characters to life in a way that a singular narration can't. I fell in love with each character and laughed and cried through out the book. I have recommended it to all my friends.

My Second Time

I read this book years and ago and enjoyed it. Decided to listen to the audiobook since the movie version will be released soon. Wow! I am so glad I did...the audio version is delightful.

Terrific Performance; Very Good Story

An outstanding performance, compelling characters and a good story make this a "must listen"--even though it has shadings of what some have called "chick lit."

Don't let the odd title put you off

What I like about this book is it has it all - in just the right proportions. It is a love story but not with gushy make you squirm excessive details, it has unanswered questions about what happened which are explained but not in graphic, unsettling and upsetting horrors of war details. It even explains what a Potato Peel Pie is and how to make it! The character development is realistic, sometimes surprising and creates people you would like to know. Most of all I loved the healing of these people as they adjust to life after living on a German occupied island during World War II. Delightful!

One of my favorite books

Loved this book so much, I read it the first time and listened to it years layer❤️

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

A story of survival, courage and hope during and post war on the German controlled occupied British island of Guernsey.

I laughed and cried many times.

No rating for performance, review book performance????

Not sure what performance refers to in a book I’m reviewing??? So leaving that part blank
Okay, this review won’t submit unless performance has a rating, bothersome.

I read or listened to the book after viewing the movie. I enjoyed the expansion of each character and the depth of the storyline.
I enjoyed the film, but the book is so much richer.

Drop everything and get this book!

I loved watching the movie and loved reading the book and listening to it portrayed by wonderful voice actors made me fall in love even more. A funny, romantic and sometimes sobering story had had me laughing, crying and anticipating the next time I could turn it on. A must listen for anyone who is interested in WWII or enjoys a good and clean love story.

Loved the movie, adored the book!

I watched this movie on Netflix and fell in love. I didn't read the description of the book, so didn't know it was all letters going back and forth between characters. It was delightful. As always, the book is better. The characters were brilliant and I fell in love with Juliet and all her friends all over again. Will be s book I listen to several times.