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.

The performances brought this to life!

Loved the reading of the letters. This is a clever way to tell a story. Hope you like it, too!

Don't let the cover fool you

I hate hate hate movie tie-in covers! Picking this up I thought it was going to be a romance novel. Instead it was one of the more interesting and unique books I've read in a while. Usually I'm not a fan of epistolary novels, I find the form to be pretty boring, but what the authors have done here is write a roster of lively characters that it almost feels like you know these people by the time the book ends. And the narrators do an amazing job bringing all of these people to life. The story is kind of humdrum and the title is kinda corny, but the style keeps it interesting by using shifting POVs.
Do not assume this book is a romance novel because it's really not, it's more about a community and how a person's life is changed because of it.

Amazing

This story makes everything sad seem okay because of the happiness you can find in life!!!

Amazing story and performance!

The story is incredibly immersive and well written. The characters are charming and well developed.

loved this love story!!!

I really loved listening to the actor bring this book alive! what a great story!!

Must listen!

This story has it all-charm, wit, characters you want to spend time with. My only complaint is hearing less from Dawsey as the story neared its conclusion. Or maybe I’m just wishing the author could have dragged the story out a little longer!

letters, war, and romance

I enjoyed listening to this book on long drives. I wish it was longer! It felt like I was listening to a radio drama with the different voice actors. definitely recommend.

Endearing, entertaining,beautiful people!

I am rereading it for the fifth time and enjoying it more each time. Love the location, the time period in history and most of all the people of channel Island ! Narration is exceptionally good!

Enjoyable style

I enjoyed the layout of this book in letters. It was fun to listen to long and short letters and the dramatization of the individuals. Bits of history, geography, and human insite.

Delightful

First off the book is both entertaining and historical which is my favorite combination. However the audio version just takes it over the top. I really enjoyed how well the characters were portrayed by each reader. I was sad for the book to end. I would actually listen to it again.