Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780385340991
ISBN: 0385340990
Label: The Dial Press
Manufacturer: The Dial Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 288
Publication Date: 2008-07-29
Publisher: The Dial Press
Release Date: 2008-07-29
Studio: The Dial Press

“ 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.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Charming
Comment: Loved the book. It started out a little slow, but soon I was enthralled with the characters of Guernsey Island. While it isn't a true story, you almost feel it is because of the history of the island and the Nazi occupation. The people are charming and the story is captivating. I've purchased several more books to give for Christmas gifts.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: It's a mood thing....
Comment: After reading this book, I read thru some of the less flattering reviews out of curiosity. I think it boils down to what mood you are in. I find that my mood affects my enjoyment of certain types of books - maybe that true for some who didn't care for this. I enjoyed it, and found myself telling my husband about parts of it that I found interesting - the historical aspects of the area, etc. It's an enjoyable read. The format of the letters makes a nice change - though it wasn't very realistic that all of the letters' authors would have such similar styles of writing. It's difficult to emulate different writing styles - so that was a risk, I thought. But I did enjoy the story, and I guess I was just in the mood for a warm story about a special place, and people who found their families among their neighbors enduring impossible hardships. I also enjoyed the main character's willingness to reinvent herself. I'm not necessarily always in the mood for this kind of book - but this one worked for me.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Absolutely delightful!
Comment: This is a great read, with richly drawn characters who you like and feel you know by the end of the book. I rarely laugh out loud while reading but I laughed several times while reading this and cried as well.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Officially one of my favorites ever
Comment: Great historical fiction - easy read but pulls you into the story line from the start. By the end of the book, I wanted to move to Guernsey and have these characters as friends.

Reminded me of the Jan Karon books in tone but there was considerably more story per page.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: absolutely charming!
Comment: This book was delightful, thoughtful, and poignant. Colorful characters, a beautiful seaside setting, and a desperate and trying era, come together in a unique and hopeful story.

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