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 good story, well read

Got this book as a sort of beach read; I had seen the movie and knew the gist. It’s so much better than I expected! Takes a bit to get off the ground, but then you’ll get wrapped up in the people. The voice-actors do a lovely job too, adding to the story rather than distracting from it. Definitely recommend!

Beautiful Story

What a blessing this book is. A sweet story with stark historical references to German occupation during WWII. A must read. The performance is done with a variety of readers and is very believable.

What a wonderful story.

Loved this novel. Loved the characters and the friendship. I love the love for a simple life and it being complicated all the same. I want a book club like they have in my life.

A classic!!

I have listened to this wonderful book at least three times. Each time I have learned from it and been entertained!
I appreciate that it is a good book for PG/PG-13 readers like me.

Loved the varied voices through letters!

Loved getting to know the characters through letters. Wish the audiobook used chapters for each letter vs a part 1 and part 2. Well written and wonderfully narrated! Would listen to it again.

Enjoyed every minute of the story

Wished the end hadn’t come when it did. There needs to be a part 2?! Wonderful collection of characters and great story.

full cast

I enjoyed the full cast production and now I will check out the movie. Also I want to visit Guernsey.

Such a moving story

The book itself is a beautiful read, the story line, sad and joyful and just genuinely amazing. The narrative is also perfect. When you have read a book it is sometimes hard to enjoy the audio books because people don’t sound like you think they should. This book is perfect, the people and the voices meld so well (except mark)

This is a must listen!

This is a perfect book for audio listening! At first the way it began seemed tedious and I was getting used to the English accents, but then it kicks into high gear quickly. The letter format is terrific for audio because the "chapters" are not that long. Persons of a certain age will also enjoy Juliet Mills (Nanny and the Professor) as the main character. This one builds and builds on what has gone before, and what at first appears to be light and frothy turns out to be anything but. What the reader learns about German occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII is unbelievable! Get this one!

One of the best books ever

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. What a lovely story and the readers were marvelous. I will treasure this one.