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.

So cute!

Hard to get into. I had to restart it several times but was glad I stuck with it. Loved the performances. Well done!

An utter delight

Beautifully cast, a chorus of voices present this enchanting story in the form of letters. I have fallen in love with Guernsey and all of the characters. I dare say you may fall in love with them, too. Enthusiastically recommended.

This Book Should Be A Classic!

What did you love best about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society?

It was a way of learning history within fiction. The story line was great! Plus it was near Sark which a visited when I was a child and have very fond memories of!

What did you like best about this story?

It was inventive and kept you on the edge of your seat!

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

great

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How supportive and loyal they were to each other!!!

Any additional comments?

Read it-Read it-Read it!!!

Great Novel

What made the experience of listening to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society the most enjoyable?

The narration of this book and the letter format of the plot made this an interesting read.

What did you like best about this story?

The story included first-person descriptions of the island and the Nazi occupation of the British Isle of Guernsey which was a topic I previously knew nothing about.

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

The narrators speak using the various dialects represented in this place. I found the narration to be authentic and easy to understand.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The descriptions of the slave workers was moving and prompted my further reflection after finishing the story.

Any additional comments?

The author of this work collected information for her book for many years and died in the middle of her writing of the story. Another friend took up her work and completed the story. It is well-researched and preserves a time and circumstance that could be overlooked otherwise.

Loved this book! Beautiful story!

A unique perspective of life World War 2 era on the Isle of Guernsey. Very captivating and memorable characters. Beautifully narrated!

Heart warming and eye opening.

An eye opening view into the German occupation and rising above the struggles.
Loved it!

Beautiful story

Great story and wonderfully read by narrator. A part of the WW2 history I never new about.

Entertaining and Heartwarming

I was captivated by the characters and their stories that developed as I was drawn in with historical facts, humor, wit, and at times sad moments in life. A great book to read and listen to.

So Awesome

I had previously read this title but needed an audio book for a long drive. I had enjoyed the book but loved it even more as an audiobook. The performers were exquisite. Thank you

Great book!

I love the genre of WWII and post. This book gave a different perspective then any I have read. I love the different points of view. The only call out would be I would have loved hear MORE letters from the Guernsey people. The beginning was a little slow and filled with Julie. But I did love the flow.