26.4.09

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


I have had such a successful reading week and weekend! As you can see below I loved The Book Thief and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society definitely did not disappoint either. Both books are dealing with the second world war but in wonderfully different ways and from very different but equally important view points.
Juliet Aston is the central character, she is an author and it is now 1946 and she is stuck for something to write. She receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey who came across an old book of hers and decided to write to her to see if she would be able to aid him in acquiring some new books on Charles Lamb, who he greatly admires. They begin corresponding about their love of books and Juliet comes to learn that Dawsey is a member of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and she, like most people would be, is intrigued. Dawsey explains how it all started with an illegal roast pork dinner and now the society has many members who get together and discuss what they have read. Juliet begins corresponding with other members of the society and friendships are quickly formed. Inevitably she travels to Guernsey to meet her new friends, I don't wish to give to much away as there may be the odd person like me out there who still hasn't got round to reading this.
The book is written solely as a series of letter between all of the characters but they form the story beautifully; I read this book in just over a day as I could not put it down. The story really is about friendship and the lengths and sacrifices we are willing to make for those that we care about. I loved the characters in the book and felt like they were old friends by the end of it. I would highly recommend this book and I know that it will always be on my book shelf to be enjoyed again in the future.

7 comments:

Savidge Reads said...

I think this is one of the books I have bought for the most people in the last year!
I just couldn't stop recommending it! So sad that we won't have any more of her work, but what a book to leave us with.
Everyone should read this book! Glad you liked it Dot!

Dot said...

Simon- It really is a lovely book, I'm so glad that I read it! Hope you have had a good weekend!

Kim said...

I loved this book and am so glad you enjoyed reading it, Dot. I will give it a re-read as your review made me want to dive back into the story again. Thanks so much for the review.

Melody said...

Again, it seems like I'm the last person on earth who haven't read this book!!! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Dot! Reading your review (together with the others) have made me put this book onto my wishlist!

Dot said...

Kim- Thank you, I really loved it, hope you enjoy your re-read of it, I know that I will come back to it again.

Melody- I felt like I was the last person on earth to read this as so many people have blogged about it! I'm glad that it is going on your wish list, it's such a lovely book. Hope you had a good weekend!

Anonymous said...

I begged and pleaded for this book from my sister for Christmas... and I got it! Then promptly set it on my TBR stack, never to be opened again.

Your review has made me feel really guilty... haha. I definitely need to get to it faster :) Sounds wonderful! I also finished The Book Thief recently (loved it!) so I have to grab this one soon!

Dot said...

Megan- Ah you shouldn't feel guilty but I would definitely recommend reading it. I really do think that it is one of the lovliest books that I have ever read!

All change here!

I have made the decision to stop doing written reviews on here for a little while. I shall keep this page open but for the time being I sha...