Page Twenty-Nine

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

I knew I had to read this book based on the title alone. I had also read fairly good reviews of it, and it sounded like something I would like, particularly as it is considered "historical fiction." The book is written as a series of letters between characters - mostly between the "main" protagonist, Juliet, and her book editor and newfound friends who are living in Guernsay. The setting is the immediate aftermath of World War II, England. Guernsay is one of the Channel islands. Events transpire and soon Juliet begins to write to different people in Guernsay and becomes fascinated with their life under German occupation during the war, and the literary society they created at this time as well: The Guernsay Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Juliet becomes wrapped up in their lives and stories, and decides to travel to Guernsay in attempt to write a story about their lives during the war.

I suppose I would characterize this book as "charming" or "quaint." It is a book that I see someone reading while sipping liesurely on a cup of tea and occasionally nibbling on a biscuit, pausing every once in awhile to raise an eyebrow or let out an "ooh" or "I wonder..." while turning the page. Inevitably, however, the book lacked literary chops. It was the author's first and only novel, and it showed.