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.

A True Favorite: An Ode to Books, Love (in all it’s forms) and Life with “The Old Familiar Faces”

This book is one of my all-time favorites!

From the dynamic yet oh-so-human cast of characters and their relationships that make you feel to your core what it means to find community (“Earth seemed a desert I was bound to traverse, Seeking to find the old familiar faces” - Charles Lamb/Do you think it’s possible to belong to someone before you’ve even met them?), to the delightfully frustrating and beautifully real love story that makes me weep every time, to the raw and intimate reflections of war, and to the absolute ode to books and art and how they are our respirators when life is most bleak- this book is pure wit, joy, humor and beauty brought to life by an excellent performing cast that brings the essence of the movie adaption to the richness of the original story.

I will forever be re-reading and re-listening to this book, and am forever grateful that it has found this “perfect reader.”

Outstanding!

Such a fantastic book to listen to. Treat yourself! Superb narration and beautifully written. Highly recommend.

Excellent Read or Listen

Make sure to read the book and then watch the movie on Netflix. The book has more detail and will make you appreciate the movie.

A very enjoyable listen!

I enjoyed the storyline and the letter format. The audio performance was outstanding. I’m so glad I choose this book!

Favorite version by far

I loved this book when I read it in print. I loved the movie adaptation. But I absolutely adore this version best. The voices fit perfectly what I imagined when I first read it and the performance was wonderful.

Perfect!

I chose this book on the recommendation of a friend - loved every minute of it. The story and the narration were wonderful!

I LOVE BOOKS AGAIN

If you're wanting to listen to this book because you saw the movie first on Netflix be warned...it's very different BUT SO MUCH BETTER. The character development, plot, setting, EVERYTHING is beyond captivating. I can't wait to listen to it again and again.

great book.

interesting, sad, funny, informative, and sad again, it did have a happy ending, but there are parts that were heartbreaking. but there are things we should know about.

Wonderful story!

I loved this book. This was so well written and read. My only con is It ended so abruptly me, I want more!

LOVED IT

Enjoyed the Netflix show but of course the book was better. Poignant and fun all rolled up into a wonderful story.