The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
This book is set post WWII in England, and reads like a collection of letters to and from Juliet Ashton. During the war Juliet wrote a popular and humorous column now newly compiled in a book. After her book tour, Juliet tries to come up with a serious subject for her next book. Her inspiration comes in the form of a letter from a stranger. Juliet receives a letter from Dawsey Adams requesting help in finding a book (Dawsey found her name and address in a used book he purchased). Dawsey's letter mentions the recently ended German occupation of Guernsey (the reason he can't find his own book) and a book club he belongs to which was formed as an excuse to German authorities to hide a roast pig dinner: the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
My book club recently read this book, and I have to say I truly fell in love with it. While reading it, I was often found laughing out loud and reading quotes to friends. The story revealed an uncommon look into German occupation of English soil. The correspondence style provided ample character development so that I could truly feel I "got" the characters and could tell them apart. I loved Juliet's perspective on readers and reading; it really spoke to the book lover in me. The historical aspects of the story were brought to life through the recollections of the characters. Over all, this is a definite must read that I recommend to most readers.
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