Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society | Mary Ann Shaffer

This review is spoiler free.

“That’s what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you to another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It’s geometrically progressive – all with no end in sight and for no reason than sheer enjoyment.”

Published: 2014, by Oakhill Publishing.
Length: 6hrs 41mins (Narrated by Charlie Norfolk)
Format: Audio-book
Genre: Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, War, World War II
Contains: Death, War, Violence, Anger, Blood/Gore

‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ tells the story of Juliet Ashton who receives a letter from a man in Guersney, after finding her name written inside a book. They begin to exchange letters, telling tales from the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and the joys of those who love literature within it. Juliet is captivated by the stories, and takes a trip to Guernsey herself, changing her life forever.

I initially began to read this book as part as Popsugar’s Reading Challenge. I knew I’d enjoy it, the talk of having a love for literature being relatable, yet I didn’t expect to enjoy it this much.

‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ is written entirely in letters between the characters. Juliet’s were full of fun and wit, whilst others tended to follow more heartbreaking and difficult themes. The letters between them all gave a more insightful look into each of the characters, developing opinions and knowledge of how they each run their lives, without ever having a physical line of dialogue between any of them. The technique is brilliantly used, being effective and allowing readers to delve further into the story. Juliet’s character was someone who I immediately felt drawn to. She’s comical, relatable and highly intelligent as she finds herself working through her writing slump. She’s simply a delightful lady to follow on her journey.

The main message within this book is the importance of literature and how it can unite those together, which personally I feel is such an important one. In modern times, it’s quite often that literature can be put aside in lists of priorities, yet this book is proved otherwise by Juliet and the Guernsey Society. Whilst in her writing slump, she manages to find those willing to help, whose hearts have been touched by literature and wanting to tell their own story.

Overall, I loved this little story. It managed to rekindle my flame for literature, and each of the characters warmed my heart beside it.

5/5