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 Grand Listen

This is a novel composes entirely of letters.

The book takes place in England shortly after World War II. Julia, a writer, is looking for a new project to write about - - something meaningful and serious. Through a fortuitous set of circumstances, she comes in contact with a sort of book group on the Guernsey Islands. Via correspondence, she becomes friends with its members. Listening to the audiobook, I felt like I was friends with them as well.

She decides that she wants to write about Guernsey when it was occupied by the Germans. Little was known about this occupation or what happened to the people at that time.

The book is also about relationships - - Julia's and the people in Guernsey. It is impossible not to care about what happens. This book sucks you right in and it is a delightful feeling. It is like you are on a soft wave and are sailing in the sun. It is that pleasant.

My only criticism is that the person who narrates the part of Amelia reads MUCH TOO SLOW. Other than that, the narration is stellar and the voices fit perfectly with the visions I have of each character.

Very Engaging listen...

This book is written in the first person in the context of letters. It gives you the opportunity to meet each character and gradually draw your own conclusions about that character and what was happening. The author does a very good job of keeping your interest as well as moving the story along. If you enjoyed "Fair and Tender Ladies" by Lee Smith, you will love this book! You will love the characters. You will laugh with them, cry with them and learn a great deal about WWII in the process. I highly recommend it.

Well worth the read

This is one of the few books that I read twice. I enjoyed it both times.
Written in the format of letters between the characters, it takes a few pages before you are 'into' the book. But, once you master the 'who's who' are you will find yourself emerced in a story of survival, bravery, cowardice, and love. It is a WWII story told through the eyes of the people of the Channel Islands during the five year occupation by Germany.
The readers/actors are wonderful. Well worth the read or shall I say listen!

A Wonderful Book!

I love the voyeuristic feeling i get when reading an epistolary novel and listening to this book feels like overhearing conversations between friends. Some of the stories are funny, some are sad, many are both and in between all of that is a sweet love story. Each of the book's characters has a unique voice and they all ring true, and for that reason listening may be the ideal way to experience this story. I waited for months to buy this book and now wish I had gotten it sooner; it is so much better than I thought it would be!

Loved it

This was an endearing book. The storyline was great. An easy read. Couldn't wait to listen each time.

Charming and Endearing

When I first started this book, I was unsure I’d like the style, especially as an audio book - the entire thing is written as letters back and forth from the main character and her friends. However, with the different narrators for each character, I soon found myself laughing and commiserating and waiting to see who would write next. History, romance, mystery, war, humor, emotional depth - this book has it all! It was too short!

I Love It When People Ask Me to Read Their Mail

I looked forward to this book ever since I first heard about it on National Public Radio. Historical novels grab me (in a good way) and I generally either love 'em or pffft - a big disappointment. So here is a novel set entirely in post-World War II. It unfolds through letters written from or to a London journalist who discovers the nature and deeds of people in Guernsey while German forces occupied the island. I was drawn in immediately. Ultimately, I thought the presentation of the story through letters was almost genius. It did, I admit, lose its sparkle in the fourth quarter when the story turned out to be predictable. Oh well - I still gave it four stars just because I was captured by it, looked forward to listening to it, and was sad when it was over. My husband listened to it with me. He gave it two stars because the story was trite. There we have it, he was looking for an intriguing plot, I was looking for entertainment. Both of our star ratings are accurate.

Simple letters tell a story...

The literary device of letters exchanged is not new: it adds a depth of intimacy and perspective to a story,
it invites the reader to 'overhear' the thoughts and ideas of others, and gives the sense of truth.
I'd watched the film, found it enchanting for many reasons, but the books gives more details regarding
the wartime experience of the residents of Guernsey.. much of it harrowing and enlightening.

This was a lovely summer read, and I recommend it to anyone who is world-weary, exhausted from
political extremes and in need of shelter: this is it.

different without the cinematography

I saw the movie first so I knew to hang in there. I didn't realize it was purely letter writing back and forth. Well performed.

One Of My Favourite Books

Loved this Book!
Loved the narrators!
A treasure to be listened to over and over.