Editorial Review:

" 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.
From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

Just okay:

I was somewhat disappointed in this book, I expected more. It was like ordering dark rich chocolate and eating milk chocolate instead. It was ok, but lacking in richness and depth.

A disappointment:

I was really looking forward to reading this book, but from the first page I was disappointed. It took 70 pages to get into the book and it is only 288 pages. The ending was abrupt and I didn't think there was any real story or sustenance. The concept was a real good one, but I thought a lot more could have been done with the book and the development of characters. Interestingly, I thought it might just be me, but it seems that everyone I have mentioned this book to felt the same way - some didn't even... more info

Charming!:

This book is just so delightful, despite dealing with such a difficult time period and some very serious subjects. The characters are vivid, the prose is crisp, and the pages turn themselves. I found myself carefully reading the extras (the addendum, dedications, etc) and then rereading it immediately to find out if I missed anything. I highly recommend it.

A fantastic heart-warming read:

I love books set in the World War II time period, and this was no different. Most of the books out there are based on the larger cities, but reading about how the war affected those in the small town of Guernsey was a take that I thoroughly enjoyed. Seeing as how reading and learning how to survive among the Nazi occupation brought this group together was very inspiring. Also, I loved how the book was written in letters between the different groups, so you were really able to get a sense of who the... more info

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