January 2010
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad books.” ~Isola to Juliet p.53
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is the second book we have read for our newly formed book club. Having just read about the German Occupation in France in Sarah’s Key, this was a slight transition to the German Occupation of the Channel Islands, Guernsey in particular in June of 1940 until December of 1944.
The story unfolds about a writer named Juliet looking for a new edge to write her latest novel about. Having written articles under the pen name Izzy Bickerstaff during the war, Juliet had become a well known-writer across England and the surrounding area. The story begins with Juliet making rounds for a book tour across England and Scotland.
Along the book tour Juliet receives a letter in the mail from a man named Dawsey Adams who has come across a copy of a book belonging to Juliet by Charles Lamb. Dawsey lives on the island of Guernsey. He writes about his love for Charles Lamb’s work, his desire to read more about Lamb, and instantly a pen pal friendship is formed between the two. Dawsey soon tells Juliet about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and the books they were reading and discussing weekly during and after the German Occupation on the island of Guernsey. Juliet, intrigued by this, asks to hear from more of the members of the society about this group they have formed during a period of four years when the island of Guernsey was literally shut off from the world, and all that was happening with the war.
Be prepared to be lost amongst correspondence between the members of the Society to those connected to the editing company Juliet works for in London. Following Juliet to Guernsey, you will want to be along side her as she is introduced to the people and a place she already feels a part of.
This was one of those books that I had a very hard time putting down! Many times I feel a sense of accomplishment upon the completion of reading a book, yet in this case, I still yearn for more information about Juliet, her publisher Sidney, and all of the people I’ve come to love living on Guernsey!
In order to fully enjoy this book, I would have one piece of advice! Get out a blank notebook and create a web using the names of the characters as they are introduced. By the end of the story, you will feel as though you know the characters personally, however to get going in the beginning, this helped me tremendously.
The late Mary Ann Shaffer, author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society acknowledges in the end of the book:
If nothing else, I hope these characters and their story shed some light on the sufferings and strength of the people of the Channel Islands during the German Occupation. I hope, too, that my book will illuminate my belief that love of art – be it poetry, storytelling, painting, sculpture, or music – enables people to transcend any barrier man has yet devised.
-December 2007
One of my favorite books of the New Year - 5 out of 5 stars - It's a MUST read!! :-)
