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.

Sweet story - great readers

This is a rather predictable yet sweet story. It was a nice switch from the crime and mystery books I typically listen to. The various readers gave interest to the listen and I enjoyed the author's description of the island. Good winter read/listen.

Must read!

This is a wonderful book! A delightful production! Historical fiction at its very best. I return to it a couple times a year for the pure pleasure of it.

Enjoyable in every way

An engaging story, historically informative. Interesting characters and especially realistic with the multiple readers and their various voices and accents. I highly recommend the Audible version of the book.

So endearing

I loved this book! The story is wonderful and the narrators are so good, at times I felt as if they were speaking directly to me. I wasn't sure how I would feel about a book that was comprised entirely of letters, but the story is so well written. I laughed out loud at times, and cried at others. I feel like the residents of Guernsey are my friends. My children, preteen boys, even got a little caught up in parts of the book. My 11 year old is interested in anything about WWII and he was full of questions about the occupation. I imagine this is a book I will gladly listen to again and maybe even purchase a hard copy.

Excellent Story and Narration

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a historical novel post WWII but relates to events from the war. This book is told by way of letters. You will see how the members of the Society coped in horrible circumstances during the Nazi Occupation in Guernsey and what the Society did to help each other. The book is written with warmth and humor and will make you laugh, cry, and even get angry at times.

The main character, Juliet Ashton, is a writer and is looking for her next book subject. She receives a letter from a gentleman on Guernsey, a UK island in the English Channel, who had belonged to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society during and after the Nazi occupation. As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, she is drawn into the world of this man and his friends. Eventually she goes to Guernsey to meet the people with whom she has been corresponding and not only falls in love with them, but also with Guernsey itself.

I absolutely loved this book! I fell in love with Juliet, and I definitely fell in love with all of the characters in Guernsey. The characters were very well developed and you come to know each one intimately.

An interesting note: The author, Mary Ann Shaffer, died in 2008 before her novel was completed. The novel was finished by her niece, Annie Barrows, and the book has since been made into a major motion picture.

Rating is equivalent to TV-14 due to war-related violence (V). Language was very mild with a couple uses of the word "hell" as well as racial slurs, such as "Jerry Bag" and "slag" (L).

Phenominal!

This book is so worth the read (listen). I loved every second, and found myself loving the characters more and more as they progressed through the story. It is storytelling at its best-that which draws you in and keeps you enthralled with each and every word. This is not a book of fast moving action, but rather the sweet telling of what life was like in a small village during the occupation of World War 2. It chronicles heartache, joy, memories and love. And I adored it. The multi-person narration adds to it and is so well done. I found it helpful with such a wide cast of characters to recognize the voices before recognizing the words they spoke. Truly well done.

Post War Guernsey History

The GLAPPPS has been a favorite read for several years. I loved the multiple narrators- really helped the book come alive!

Love the historical elements

The narration was quite enjoyable. I liked having several narrators. I also enjoyed reading about a real place and learning more about it's history

Beautiful!

The story is told through letters written between the characters. I absolutely loved the story line and the narrators. The authors paint a beautiful picture of Guernsey and each of the characters.

It’s a fantastic quick listen!

Fantastic!

Loved this book. I want to read more from this author and there isn't a thing out there. Fascinating story, it was riveting to listen to and very well done.