The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

[diamondlil]

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/ozdiamondlil/ReadingAdventures02/photo?authkey=FJ_HUHdVeiM#5234293236482416738

It's 1946, and as Juliet Ashton sits at her desk in her Chelsea flat, she is stumped. A writer of witty newspaper columns during the war, she can't think of what to write next. Out of the blue, she receives a letter from one Dawsey Adams of Guernsey - by chance he's acquired a book Juliet once owned - and, emboldened by their mutual love of books, they begin a correspondence. Dawsey is a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, and it's not long before the rest of the members write to Juliet - including the gawky Isola, who makes home-made potions, Eben, the fisherman who loves Shakespeare, and Will Thisbee, rag-and-bone man and chef of the famous potato peel pie. As letters fly back and forth, Juliet comes to know the extraordinary personalities of the Society and their lives under the German occupation of the island. Entranced by their stories, Juliet decides to visit the island to meet them properly - and unwittingly turns her life upside down.

A moving tale of post-war friendship, love and books, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is gloriously honest, sweet and funny - a book to fall in love with.

This little book is the subject of quite a lot of attention at the moment, and I am going to join the chorus and say that it definitely deserves it!

I must confess that the first few times I saw this mentioned on blogs I completely skipped over it simply because, to me, the title suggested something very different from what it is actually is.

Julia Lambert has spent most of WWII writing witty newspaper columns under the name Izzy Bickerstaff, doing her part in keeping the spirits of Londoners up during the dark days of the Blitz. Now that the war is over, Julia wants to do something different. She doesn't want to be Izzy anymore but she doesn't know what she does want to write.

One day she receives a letter from one Dawsey Adams, who lives in Guernsey. He has found a book by Charles Lamb that used to be owned by Julia and he has written to her in the hope that she may be able to assist him in finding more books by that author. In his letter, Dawsey mentions that he is a member of the Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society, and Julia's interest is captured. What is the Society? Where did the name come from and how did it start?

What starts as a simple correspondence about an author grows into a series of letters between not only Dawsey and Julia, but also several of the other islanders (some are members of the Society but others are not) and Julia, and soon she begins to feel as though these people are her friends. They also begin to tell her of how life was on the island during the German occupation which no other part of the British Isles experienced.

Soon Julia finds herself wanting to go to Guernsey to meet the people she has come to know. It doesn't take long before she is caught up in island life, and her life is further woven into the lives of her friends than she could ever have imagined she would be at the beginning of the book.

The characters are fun with lots of quirkiness, but there is a depth that is captured as well - the losses that they suffered, the separation from the children that were sent to the UK for their on safety, the hunger, the fear left from living under oppression.

The whole book is told in the format of letters, telegrams and notes between the characters. When I started I really wasn't sure if that format would work for me, or if it would become a bit annoying by the end of the book, but the author(s) really did well at making the story flow within the limitations that this format necessarily gives to the structure of the novel .

I have been trying to think of a book to compare to this one, but I am really struggling. It is funny and charming, poignant, informative and there are probably numerous other descriptions I could use, but at its heart it is a really lovely story. The fact that I too wanted to go to Guernsey after finishing the book means that the characters not only captured Julia's heart, but also mine as a reader!

Just a couple of other thoughts on the cover and author. The covers for the Australian book is just so plain that if I had not heard of this book already I would never have even picked it up. It is interesting that in other places around the world, the author is given is Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, but here it is just Mary Ann Shaffer. There is a note in the back that explains that after submitting the original manuscript, Mary Ann Shaffer became ill, and so her niece Annie Barrows completed the book. Unfortunately Mary Ann Shaffer died before seeing her book published, which is both a shame for her, and for us as readers because her book is a lovely read and it would have been interesting to see if she could have followed it up with another great read.

I totally recommend this book to anyone, and ending up giving it the highest possible grade - 5/5 for this one!

[Kailana]

I ordered this! I probably won't read it right away, but it shipped yesterday! Yay!

[SonjaMarie]

FROM EW:

Suddenly, They've Got a Hot 'Potato'

Three weeks ago, a tiny little novel with a cute title - The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society - started storming the best-seller lists, and, driven largely by word of mouth and a sweet backstory, it now has over 200,000 copies in print. (That's a lot.) The novel, which follows the WWII-era exploits of a Nazi-foiling book club, was begun by Mary Ann Shaffer but finished by her niece, Anne Barrows, after Shaffer got sick (she died in Februrary). And now, EW has exclusively learned, movie rights have been snapped up by an unusual partnership: Hollywood producer Paula Mazur (Nim's Island) and Florida bookstore owner Mitchell Kaplan. "The story is about [a book club], so it's nice to keep the movie within the family of booksellers,' Barrows says. "I hope Mary Ann is up there watching all this, and taking pleasure in it." - Gregory Kirschling

-----
SM

[diamondlil]

I can kind of see the sections set on Guernsey working as a film.It will be interesting to see how they deal with the letters and telegrams etc. Maybe they will just leave that format out of the story all together.

[Ash]

Ok, so armed with my 30% off coupon, I went to the bookstore. Got the book and immediately say the big blurb by Eliz Gilbert. I almost tossed the book aside (her Eat Pray Love was one of the worst books I had the displeasure to read). But egged on by you good folk, I sat down with some tea and started to read. Ok, its good, so far. Reminds me a great deal of Helen Hanffs books, which is a good thing. So Im there. Are we still reading this one for October? (or was it Sept?)

[diamondlil]

It's nominated for October. Depends on whether people vote for it or not as to whether we read it.

[diamondlil]

Apparently this has been optioned to be made into a film.

It will be interesting to see how they go about adapting it.

Full story here. (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117991472.html?categoryid=13&cs=1)

[Ash]

Well I guess Eliz Gilbert was right (but then even a clock is right twice a day....sorry :) I really really liked this book! I was a little concerned in the beginning because I did think it was swaying towards the very charming and twee category, but the second half blew that away. Very well written, excellent characterization. Its certainly not for everyone - I have a dear friend who doesn't like 'letter' books (I can't think of the word for that) - but if you want some good HF about the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands, this is the place to get it, all within the memories and stories of the people who lived there. I did have a quibble about the time span between some of the letters: a day between London and Guernsey? (and they weren't telegrams, as she noted those). But I could let that one stand. What happens to the narrator is predictable, but it really wasn't about her, which is why I ultimately liked it.

[diamondlil]

Yes, the notes seemed a little improbably for example, but it is a minor quibble.

Is the word epistlary or something like that?


I am glad you liked it.

[Ash]

>epistlary

Thanks, thats it! And thanks for reviewing it and nudging me to read it!

[diamondlil]

No worries! :)

[Kailana]

I just finished this book and I quite enjoyed it! I will review it one of these days and be sure to post it here!

[LCW]

I finished this last night and loved it! What a great little book. It's going on the keeper shelf for sure!

[lindymc]

I finished this last night and loved it! What a great little book. It's going on the keeper shelf for sure!

I, too, finished this book yesterday evening, and also decided it was a keeper. I think the book is really remarkable in that it covers a period in history (Nazi occupation of Guernsey Island) that is truly a time of despair, fear, cold, hunger and cruelty -- yet this novel is full of joy, hope, humor, warmth, and love. An incredible story, delightfully told.

[LCW]

I resisted reading this for a while as I thought the format was just, well, weird! I've never read a novel that was entirely composed of correspondence between the characters. All I can say is: I was wrong! So wrong! This turned out to be one of the best novels I've read all year.

The novel centers around Juliet, a writer who spent WWII writing a humorous column under a pseudonym helping to bring some much needed comic relief to war-torn England. After the war Juliet is a bit lost and doesn't know which direction to take for her upcoming novel. By chance she receives correspondence from Dawsey, a farmer on Guernsey who happens to have his hands on a book that used to belong to Juliet. He writes her seeking information on finding more works by that author.

Through their correspondence we find that Dawsey is a member of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a reading group that formed during the desperate days of the German occupation of Guernsey. Eventually more and more members correspond with Juliet and we, the readers, are treated to the most remarkable stories ranging from horrendous heartbreak to those that make you believe in the resilience of the human spirit again.

Each of the characters was so individual, some were just nasty like the island busybody, some were hilarious (Isolda is a particular favorite), and some like Elizabeth are inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time. While you are horrified by what these characters had to endure during the war, you will be cheering them at the same time for their fortitude and resilience.

I highly recommend this novel! There really aren't words enough to describe what a special experience reading this novel was to me. You're just going to have to experience it for yourself.

Five great big shining stars!

[Ash]

I know I have read other novels that centered on letters, but names escape me. Thinking Helen Hanff of course but it wasn't all letters. Any ideas?

[annis]

Hate to be picky, but the word you're looking for is "epistolary" (from the word "epistle") And yes, I was initially put off by a novel written in that style and ignored it until I kept hearing people raving about it. I'm so glad that I overcame my prejudice and read it- it's a real treasure.
Interesting how effective word-of-mouth promotion can be. Come to think of it, wasn't that how the first Harry Potter book gained its popularity?

[chuck]

Hate to be picky, but the word you're looking for is "epistolary" (from the word "epistle") And yes, I was initially put off by a novel written in that style and ignored it until I kept hearing people raving about it. I'm so glad that I overcame my prejudice and read it- it's a real treasure.
Interesting how effective word-of-mouth promotion can be. Come to think of it, wasn't that how the first Harry Potter book gained its popularity?

Annis...I remember months ago you mentioning this book.....and I think your interesting review got people to read it.....

[Moseyer]

Very nice review, diamondlil, and I agree with all who love this novel. The epistolary genre was first used in the 18th century and Jane Austen wrote the first drafts of Sense & Sensibility (and I think Pride & Prejudice, too--not so sure on this one) in that format. I thought Shaffer and Barrows used the form beautifully and don't agree with some of the reviews I've read that mention too many threads going at once. I thought it was just right! I just joined, thanks to Margaret's recommendation, and I love seeing all the active discussions here!

[Susan]

I just finished this little gem of a book. Besides meeting wonderful characters that I really cared about, I was very interested to learn about Guernsey's World War II history. As I was finishing up the book, I remarked to my husband that the book would make a marvelous film and after a quick Google search I was pleased to find out that the film rights have already been bought. I just hope the film does the book justice. I also sadly learned that author Mary Anne Shaffer passed away last February. Her illness caused her niece Annie Barrows to finish the book.

[michellemoran]

I'm not sure I can count the ways in which I adored this book. I think it's very, very difficult to write a compelling epistolary novel, but this one had my attention from the first page. I gave this book as a gift to one of my dearest friends who just turned forty. I wrapped it a lavender Coach scarf, and I swear, when she unwrapped it, she was more excited about the book than the scarf (which is as it should be ;)). Ultimately, she'll probably come to love the book a lot more.

[Telynor]

(Yes, I know I am gushing about this book. Embarrassing for someone of my years, but it is a delight!)

Every now and then, I get my hands on a book that manages to delight right from the start and all the way through to the finish. Sadly, that doesn't happen very much any more, but when it does, oh! -- what satisfaction it brings. Such was the case with this delighful novel, <i>The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.</i>

Juliet Ashton, a single woman who has survived WWII in London, is putting her life back together, albeit somewhat slowly. She wrote a series of newspaper columns during the war, and now they have been collected into a book -- and the book has turned out to be a success. So now the author of <i>Izzy Bickerstaff Goes to War</i> has gone off on a book tour. It all may sound glamourous, but in reality it's a tiring, annoying, expedition, especially when an obnoxious journalist turns up with upsetting results, and someone is sending extravagant bouquets of flowers to her hotel room. By the time the book tour is over, Juliet is relieved to be home, but she still doesn't quite have the energy to cope with the new complications in her life. Namely, the would be suitor who sent her all of those flowers, and while Markham V. Reynolds is certainly wealthy, tall, dark and shamelessly handsome, there's something a bit off about him that Juliet doesn't quite trust.

On a happier note, she also has a surprise awaiting her when she returns to London. A man by the name of Dawsey Adams has written to her after finding her name and address in the flyleaf of a book that she had sold. He's from the Channel Islands, and more specificially, Guernsey. And her book has opened up a world for him, where words can be magic, and a new experience awaits.

At the center of the novel is the night when the Society was created, and how it provided a lifeline to a group of people trying to survive German occupation. Told in a series of letters exchanged between members of the Society and Juliet, it's a wonderful means of telling a story. I found myself laughing out loud at some of them, and actually crying out <I>OH NO!</I> at one point, and moved to tears at another.

The use of letters to tell a story isn't a new concept. One of the earliest European novels, <I>Les Liaisons Dangereuse</I>, is made up of just letters exchanged between the main characters. And it is a very effective way to let the reader into the minds of the characters, and how memory works. It's also a way of eavesdropping as it were, into the inimate thoughts and hopes of a person, in a way that straight prose narrative just can not capture.

I confess that I loved reading this book. By turns I found the story hopeful, exasperating -- especially whenever the priggish Miss Adelaide Addison wrote anything -- and the comical. Many of the characters have stuck in my head, among them Sydney, Juliet's friend and partner; Isola Pribby, with her homemade herbal brews, and finally, Elizabeth McKenna, of which I shan't say much more, as I really don't want to ruin anyone's surprises.

As with all good books, there's plenty of sorrow threaded through this novel, as the memories come forward of the German Occupation of the Channel Islands. Many of the stories are heartbreaking to read, and at times, I had to set the book aside and go for a walk to settle down before I could pick it up again. There's not a lot of books that can do that to me anymore, but this one did. What it has sparked in me is a desire to learn more about this little known corner of the world, as I had known about this episode in history, but not very much.

All in all, this is a must-read, and one that any bibliophile will delight in. It's gotten rave reviews, and I can happily say that this is worth it to find, whether you find it in your local library or purchase it for yourself. As to my copy, it's going straight to my 'keeper' shelf.

Five stars.

[Ash]

Perfect, I couldn't agree more!

[annis]

There have been a few novels written about the Channel Islands during the WWII.
One of my favourites is an oldie, Jerrard Tickell's 1951 "Appointment with Venus" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appointment_with_Venus) which also has a lovely mix of quirky characters, humour, triumph and sadness. It was based on a real incident told to Tickell ten years after the war by an army officer who was involved in a similar event.
It's set on the fictitious island of Armorel, which is probably Sark, and was later made into a movie starrring David Niven.

More recently, there's Tim Binding's mystery "Lying with the Enemy" aka "Island Madness" and Libby Cone's "War on the Margins".

There's an interesting BBC archive of collected memories from Channel Islanders who experienced the occupation:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/78/a4185678.shtml

[ellenjane]

I just finished this, and really, really enjoyed it. It reminded me of Lucy Maud Montgomery and the Avonlea stories in a lot of ways - chatty, quirky stories about local characters. I was a little dissatisfied with the romantic storyline - I didn't understand why the hero was so wonderful, but that didn't detract too much from good parts.

The book did make me more interested in the occupation of the Channel Islands. I wonder if some of the general anecdotes were real.

[Leyland]

I read it a couple weeks ago and highly recommend it to everybody. I think this story is not to be missed primarily because of the subject material and the characterization on a multiple scale (the Society/island obviously contains lots of people). I knew the Channel Islands had been occupied but hadn't considered what life was like for the islanders under Nazi rule.

I was amazed as the charming and idiosyncratic characters tell their stories of the war years in a polite and upbeat way, but all of a sudden you realize they've just mentioned an incident so heinous that you're breath is taken away.

The author accomplished a uniquely excellent story.

[Misfit]

I really really need to get this from the library and read it. For those interested in stories of Nazi occupation you might take a look at Rosalind Laker's This Shining Land which is set in Norway during the occupation and covers their resistance movement. I really enjoyed it and it's very different from Laker's usual formula. Laker's husband was from Norway and she came to that country as a young bride shortly after the occupation ended.

[Spitfire]

Thanks for the reviews and comments, I must say I never had any prior interrest in reading this book. But, now I think I am going to go ahead and order it. :)

[Libby Cone]

Annis,
I'm honored that you mentioned my book about the occupation of Jersey, War on the Marginshttp://www.amazon.com/dp/1419689959
I loved Shaffer's book, too. I have been joking about changing my title to "Like the Guernsey book, but on Jersey, and not Epistolary." The occupation of the Channel Islands is a story that needs to be told over and over again; its implications extend beyond the Islands' shores.

[tsjmom]

I just finished this and would concur with others that this book is a treasure. Poignant, funny, moving, endearing, etc. I found it amazing that a book about such a serious and tragic topic could feel warm and touching at the same time.

The use of correspondences also made for a unique way to tell a story. 5/5 for me:)

[AuntiePam]

I know I have read other novels that centered on letters, but names escape me. Thinking Helen Hanff of course but it wasn't all letters. Any ideas?

I love epistolary novels. I assume epistolary includes not just letters but newspaper articles, diary entries, journals, etc.? Dracula is one, and Carrie (sorta). Also English Passengers by Matthew Kneale (awesome HF).

Well, this thread settles it. I have to get this book.

[Vanessa]

I've just finished this enchanting and delightful but also shocking and moving little book. I loved it! I loved the way it was written via letters and with a sense of humour. Some fantastic, amusing and quaint characters, too. I really got a feel for what it must have been like living on the Channel Islands during the occupation - it's such a scary thought as to think how near the Nazis came to invading old Blighty! Thank goodness they didn't. This book is definitely a keeper for me.

Highly recommended.

5/5

[EC2]

I've just finished this enchanting and delightful but also shocking and moving little book. I loved it! I loved the way it was written via letters and with a sense of humour. Some fantastic, amusing and quaint characters, too. I really got a feel for what it must have been like living on the Channel Islands during the occupation - it's such a scary thought as to think how near the Nazis came to invading old Blighty! Thank goodness they didn't. This book is definitely a keeper for me.

Highly recommended.

5/5

Agree all the way Vanessa. One of my favourites too!

[MrsMorland]

I loved it. Took awhile for me to get into the style, but I ended up very interested in it.

[Vanessa]

I was going to lend it to my mum as she was in the fire service as a very young woman doing her bit for the war effort, but I'm not sure whether it might upset her now she's in her 80s. She only likes to read happy things these days and whilst this book is fairly light hearted in lots of ways, there are some darker elements to it.

[MLE]

I finished this today, and I loved it! It is an odd format, tho -- writers are always being told to 'show not tell' and a book told entirely through correspondence seems like nothing but telling at first glance.

And then I realized that through the letters, the author was showing instead of telling who the people were. Instead of saying "there is this really nasty piece of work named Adelaide" we get a letter from said lady early on, conveying fully the sort of pest that she is. Ditto all the little vignettes. By the time the love interest comes out of the mist, the reader knows about his character, not because we are told he is a great guy, but because his actions broadcast it.

My husband read this first, because we were on a trip and I had two books, he had none. He enjoyed it, too.

[SCW]

I really liked this book found it very easy to read. I bought a copy for a friend whose Grandmother grew up in Jersey during the occupation.

[Ash]

Did her grandmother tell her stories about the occupation? I'd love to hear more

Welcome, btw!

[Michy]

I just read this book myself, this summer and really enjoyed it. It was wonderfully witty and chatty and I read through it in two sittings, I think, because I couldn't put it down. Even the parts relating things that were really terrible, such as a concentration camp, were told in a gentle, whimsical way. I read somewhere that the author chose an epistolary style because she thought it would be easier! ;)

However, I felt that towards the end, the book fell apart somewhat. That is, some of the scenes were ludicrous and made the characters seem not just quirky (as they had all along) but downright ridiculous. I wish some of those parts had been written in a different way, and some left out entirely. But I haven't run across anyone else who felt that way, so I'm obviously in a minority.

But the rest of the book was so wonderful that I highly recommend it.

Someone asked about other books written in an epistolary style. I've only read one other, and really enjoyed it, as well. I read it many years ago -- probably in the '80s -- so I can't recall the title or the author's name. I believe she was a fairly popular author at that time. The book was composed of all the correspondence of a woman starting when she was a young child and going all the way through to nearly the end of her life. I believe it began in the late 1800s and went through to the 1950s or perhaps 1960s.

Does anyone recall the title? I remember that I did enjoy the book, and I would recommend it for someone who likes the epistolary format.

ETA -- I found the book (let's hear it for Amazon). :) It was A Woman of Independent Means by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey. Talking about it has made me want to read it again, think I'll try to get my hands on a copy......

[MLE]

Other epistolary books: 84 Charing Cross Road (http://www.amazon.com/Charing-Cross-Road-Helene-Hanff/dp/0140143505/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292041922&sr=1-1), not a novel but a sort of memoir; Dear Mr. Henshaw, (http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Henshaw-Newbery-Medal-Winner/dp/B002K74GEM/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292042032&sr=1-7) a children's book, but wonderful anyway; and of course, the classic Screwtape Letters (http://www.amazon.com/Screwtape-Letters-Proposes-Toast/dp/0060652896/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292042156&sr=1-1).

The epistolary format must be a tough one to work with. I suspect the scenes at the end of Guernsey were so markedly different because they were written by the niece after the original writer, her aunt, died.

[Ash]

However, I felt that towards the end, the book fell apart somewhat. That is, some of the scenes were ludicrous and made the characters seem not just quirky (as they had all along) but downright ridiculous. I wish some of those parts had been written in a different way, and some left out entirely. But I haven't run across anyone else who felt that way, so I'm obviously in a minority...

I also noticed how different the two sections were, and had my quibbles at the end, but all in all enjoyed it. This book had two authors; the original writer died when the book was almost completed. Her neice completed it and had it published. I don't know who wrote what parts, or what parts the neice changed, but I suspect that does explain the differences

[rockygirl]

I also noticed how different the two sections were, and had my quibbles at the end, but all in all enjoyed it. This book had two authors; the original writer died when the book was almost completed. Her neice completed it and had it published. I don't know who wrote what parts, or what parts the neice changed, but I suspect that does explain the differences

I didn't realize this fact. It does explain the very tidied up plots at the end.

I loved the rest of the book.

[tsjmom]

I loved this book. It's very heartwarming, the characters are quirky, and the writing style is unique.

[SCW]

I just lent this to a friends whose relatives lived on Jersey during the occupation, apparently there was no electricity or gas on the island after D-Day. And they had to share their house with German Officers!