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.

Cute book, well narrated

Very fun and enjoyable book. All the characters are richly constructed and beautiful. The narration is outstanding, with different characters taking different voices. Beautiful British accent as well! Highly recommended.

Delightful Story

I am an avid listener of audio books both from the library and audible and this is the best one so far. The wonderful British voices and the delivery made the story come to life in a way that reading it would not. I have looked for other books by the late Mary Ann Shaffer and was sorry to learn that there aren't anymore.

Like watching a movie!

I flew through this on a beach in Spain... The performance makes you want to laugh and weep and the main characters voice (Juliet) is like listening to gorgeous singer. I chose this book at random after seeing the reviews about the performance but having no clue what it was about, and I'm so glad I did. And I always love a book that involves discussion of reading and other classic books. Such a wonderful surprise!

Lovely

I think the 2nd time through I'd give it 5 stars all around but with it being my first time reading it I feel it's a fair review. It was hard to follow the first 1/2 maybe less than that but I stuck it out and LOVED it! I will listen to it again so I can follow better.. I love the different voices. The history throughout is wonderful. I would recommend this to others.

Hated for it to end

Great story. Would love to see a sequel. Not only told through the lost art of letter writing, but gave us a glimpse into a bygone era. The happy ever after ending doesn't hurt either.

Lovely story, great reading

Would you consider the audio edition of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version, I only listened to this excellently read version

Who was your favorite character and why?

Juliette, I think, since she is the main character, but you have to love Elizabeth since she is the driving force that binds everyone together. Loved Dawsey, too.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

I liked that it was an ensemble...there are a lot of characters to keep track of and it would have gotten confusing if they had not sounded completely unique. Each voice was perfectly read with the innocence, worldliness, concern...whichever trait was that character's most defining trait.

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

Probably Elizabeth because her courage and also her dangerous choices of action feed the rest of the story. It was so interesting to read about the NAzi occupation of Guernsey during WW2. I had never heard about it before.

Any additional comments?

This is a dear, wonderful "I am a better person because I read this" book. Does it get any better?

Favorite Audible Book!

The different actors reading the various parts really brought the book to life better than any audio book I have listened to! I loved the feelings they were able to convey and the life they breathed into the story.

Charm, intelligence and superb actors!

One of my all time favorites that I just listened to again. Love the story and all the narrators.

Great story

A romantic and touching tale.. good characters I could relate to about a time and place I didn't know much about. Beautifully told in letter format, I enjoyed this book completely.

A favorite!

I absolutely love everything about this book. Highest regards for the story itself, the delightful and inspiring characters and the excellent readers.