Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
2008
BACK OF THE BOOK: 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'd never met, a native of Guernsey, the British island once occupied by the Nazis. He'd come across her name on the flyleaf of a secondhand volume by Charles Lamb. Perhaps she could tell him where he might find more books by this author.
As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, she is drawn into the world of this man and his friends, all members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a unique book club formed in a unique book club formed in a unique, spur-of-the-moment way: as an alibi to protect its memebrs from arrest by the Germans.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the Society's charming, deeply human members, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. Through their letters she learns about thier island, their taste in books, and the powerful, transforative impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she fins there will change her forever.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, it is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.
THOUGHTS: Lindsay Palmer lent this book to me saying it was a must read. The title suggested it had potential, but the fact that there were two authors gave me some doubts. It has been by opinion that two authors does not bode well for a book. Luckily Lindsay was right and i was wrong.
This book is told with letters and only letters. It is an interesting format that is a little hard to get into, but once you know the characters it is a fast read. The stories were fun and sometimes heart-wrenching (but no tears). It was one of those books that you wished it wouldn't end. I'm glad it isn't a series though because it had a good ending.
The other thing i loved was the main character's name. Julie(t) is a great name and Ashton, well, need i say more. :)
THE END: I knew it was going to be Dawsey from about the second letter he wrote Juliet. Then i started to doubt it. Then i knew it, then i doubted it, then i knew it, then it happened. Usually when i know who it is going to be i am just annoyed until it happens, however with this one i was happily surprized that i was unsure and then right. It let me stay interested. I was sad that Elizabeth didn't come back, but happy that Juliet got Kit.