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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel
by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows, Paul Boehmer , Susan Duerden , Rosalyn Landor (Goodreads Author) , John Lee , Juliet Mills
by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows, Paul Boehmer , Susan Duerden , Rosalyn Landor (Goodreads Author) , John Lee , Juliet Mills
The words that immediately come to mind when I think of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society are nice, cute and, unfortunately, hokey(ish).
I certainly understand its popularity (#4 most popular book of 2007 on Goodreads!). There is a distinct air of wholesomeness, inoffensiveness about it, plus it is occasionally funny (in a cute, inoffensive way), with a bit of tragic war business thrown in.
But it got tiring for me very quickly. From the moment the main character, Juliet, a young writer, came to Guersney to visit her pen pals, the whole story just got way too cute for my taste. Everyone on the island was so nice, so into doing the right thing, so in love with Juliet, I just couldn't stand it. They were not real people. Even the dark parts of the novel - about the war, occupation, and concentration camps - were sort of glossed over.
The story simply needed more complex characters, more drama, edgier experiences. As is, it is your standard feel-good commercial fiction with no depth.
I certainly understand its popularity (#4 most popular book of 2007 on Goodreads!). There is a distinct air of wholesomeness, inoffensiveness about it, plus it is occasionally funny (in a cute, inoffensive way), with a bit of tragic war business thrown in.
But it got tiring for me very quickly. From the moment the main character, Juliet, a young writer, came to Guersney to visit her pen pals, the whole story just got way too cute for my taste. Everyone on the island was so nice, so into doing the right thing, so in love with Juliet, I just couldn't stand it. They were not real people. Even the dark parts of the novel - about the war, occupation, and concentration camps - were sort of glossed over.
The story simply needed more complex characters, more drama, edgier experiences. As is, it is your standard feel-good commercial fiction with no depth.
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Reading Progress
| 01/11/2011 |
|
30.0% | "Not so bad so far. Well read." 2 comments |
Comments (showing 1-19 of 19) (19 new)
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That about sums it up. I remember being in the mood for something cute and harmless and enjoying it--but anyone who is looking for depth will NOT find it here.I think I 4-starred it because I was so fascinated with Guernsey history and read all about it after finishing. Nerd alert.
Based upon what I know of your reading tastes, as well as my own, I'd probably like this. However, I just don't like books written in the "letter" format, so I don't think it will be on my TBR pile for now.
Interesting . . . I liked hearing your take on this novel after reading so many other friends' reviews who loved it. I hadn't made up my mind whether I wanted to read it or not, but it is on my to-read list. What do you think? Is it worth the read?
My approach is - when in doubt, but curious, give it a go. After all, you can always drop it if it's not up to your taste. So yes, it's worth checking out IMO. A lot of people enjoyed it. You might be one of them.
Good point. I'll probably try it out at some point, but it's not really on my top priority list. I am about to start Saving Francesca, though, and I'm really excited to read another of Melina Marchetta's books -- especially one you rank so highly!
My grandma gave me this book to read. Still sittin' on my shelf...Don't think I'll get around to it any time soon.
Tatiana wrote: "I know very little about this book, but the letter format is one of my favorite, so we shall see."
T, are you into diary format? I recently read A Brief History of Montmaray and think you'd like it.
T, are you into diary format? I recently read A Brief History of Montmaray and think you'd like it.
I definitely agree with your review! it was nice and cute, though there was very little depth, and I soon tired of the islanders niceness as well.
The letter format is dissatisfying at times, as one tends to lose the plot sometimes. I had to keep turning back the pages in some parts to recall who had said what in which letter of theirs. But overall the stories held my interest and even the small experiences during the Occupation in Guernsey seemed very real and interesting. Juliet's character is a fascinating one and the humor and depth in writings are both relatable.
I think some of the things you mention bothering you are the point of the story. I am not yet done reading it, but I can see the non-sentimental way the people discuss the war might seem unreal. When I talk to elderly people about the depression and WWII, I hear the same. It is a part of their lives, but now over; no need to despair over it any long. Time to get on. I also know that people can be really nice. I live in a very small town; people are polite, helpful, an nice. Young people hold doors for others, folks wave to strangers driving down the street, that stuff.
Look forward to reading your review.