The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club

Feb 10, 2014 Jemima Pett rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: bookclub, historical, award-winning, literary

This delightful book was sprung upon me by my book club and I don’t regret it for one minute! I probably would have picked it up if I’d read the blurb on the back cover – but I might not have picked it up thinking the cover was too ‘romance’. It is slightly romantic, but only in a ‘life’ way.

Juliet Ashton is an author. Immediate sympathies go out to her. She is struggling to find her next book. Double the sympathies. Her book based on the wartime column she wrote as Izzy Bickerstaff has thrust h This delightful book was sprung upon me by my book club and I don’t regret it for one minute! I probably would have picked it up if I’d read the blurb on the back cover – but I might not have picked it up thinking the cover was too ‘romance’. It is slightly romantic, but only in a ‘life’ way.

Juliet Ashton is an author. Immediate sympathies go out to her. She is struggling to find her next book. Double the sympathies. Her book based on the wartime column she wrote as Izzy Bickerstaff has thrust her into an unwanted limelight – through book tours and interviews, and a good deal of muckraking by a jealous editor. Way outside my experiences then ;) But I’ve already warmed to her, and nothing she does during this delightful and occasionally harrowing tale, unfolded through correspondence with friends, a would-be lover, editors, and the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, changes my affection for her. Full of human weaknesses. She does the sort of thing you’d do. Ok, I’d do them too, if I had the chance.

My experience of stories told through the medium of letters has, so far, been a 100% thumbs-up. 84, Charing Cross Road is a rare case of a film perfectly delivering the printed page. My friend Sue did a delightful book of letters from the works supervisor of the pyramid building company to the Pharaoh, lamenting the working practices and failure of contractors. Stanley and Katrina unveil life for the family pet from a whole new viewpoint. I think I delight in a story told through complaints and perspective that can be unfolded in a letter to a specific person, even more than a prose work told to the generic reader. But letters show you so much, not only of the writer’s problem, but the writer’s perspective too. What Ms Shaffer and Ms Barrows do in this book is to give us multiple perspectives of postwar Britain (and a little of France) and especially of life in Guernsey during the German Occupation, through the correspondence with said Literary Society (a book club), with its huge diversity of members. Small town life at its best – and worst!

I read the first quarter on a Friday train, and finished the rest off on Sunday afternoon and evening. I was desperate to get back to it. Reading the after-words, I found that Ms Shaffer was unable to complete the book and the task passed to a relative, Ms Barrows. If that is the basis of the last section, the journal of a would-be Miss Marple then I applaud all concerned as it is a masterful winding up, and deals nicely with any differences in style between the two authors. Praise all round.

I read a library copy of this book as part of my book club list. I might go and buy my own copy for a re-read. ...more

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Nov 02, 2019 Naughty rated it it was amazing

This wicked book ruined my life.

I am fairly certain that the only reason the authors wrote this story was to let aspiring authors like me see that we don't have a chance of ever writing something this good.

I used to have ambitions. Now my only goal is to sit on the couch listening to this story over and over again while loom-knitting scarves for the rest of my existence.

I truly feel that Audible is the best way to enjoy this story. I was picturing it in my mind the whole time while finally makin ...more

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Nov 04, 2019 Toi Thomas rated it it was amazing

Shelves: rated, adult, reviewed, romance, historical-fiction

This book is so worthy and I am not. I thought I’d reviewed this book months ago only to discover my grave error. I must make amends.

This book is the reason people enjoy reading. While I must acknowledge that no book is for everyone, this one is likely for most who take on the challenge. I imagine it would be difficult not to find at least one noteworthy thing about this book.

First, the story itself is powerful and impactful. It’s a tale of chance and circumstance that brings people together i This book is so worthy and I am not. I thought I’d reviewed this book months ago only to discover my grave error. I must make amends.

This book is the reason people enjoy reading. While I must acknowledge that no book is for everyone, this one is likely for most who take on the challenge. I imagine it would be difficult not to find at least one noteworthy thing about this book.

First, the story itself is powerful and impactful. It’s a tale of chance and circumstance that brings people together in the aftermath of great tragedy, only to bring hope and happiness. It’s hard not to appreciate that.

Second, while I’m not putting down those who love greeting cards, this book reminds readers why a letter means so much more. In this digital age of people facing cameras and spilling their emotions all over the web, this book reminds readers of the intimacy of writing letters with honesty, sincerity, and humor and the value of the anticipation of waiting, receiving, and sending those thoughts and emotions into the world to be discovered by the intended recipient.

Third, not that it would have mattered to me once I finished chapter one, but the writing is impeccable and clever. There are some hard topics to pen in this book but the transitions from LOL to pillow screaming are flawless. This literary masterpiece has to be (to some degree) the effective collaboration of a dedicated team of writers, researchers, editors, and more.

Lastly, the characters of this book are relatable in a very personal way. It would be easy for me, as a black woman, to disconnect from a story about people who look nothing like me and aren’t connected to my struggle, but at the end of the day, people are people and hurt is hurt. What these characters go through and experience isn’t isolated to a particular race, gender, religion, etc… Whether it’s WWII, U.S. slavery, Apartheid, or any other travesty, people can recognize pain and appreciate triumph over oppression and grief. The MC of this story, as well as many of the other characters, discover that the triumph over grief comes from continuing to live, love, and support your village (who and whatever that may be for you).

Highly recommended to bibliophiles, fans of history and tales of WWII, and brave readers who want to read something with genuine emotion. ...more

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Dec 26, 2016 Bish Denham rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

I'm pretty stingy with giving 5 stars. Most books I read are quite worthy of a strong 4, but 5 stars means there's something extra special about the story, and this one has that extra special something in spades.

I loved the characters, how their personalities shown through even though most were written from the standpoint of the letter writer, Juliet. The way the history of the WWII occupation of Guernsey by the Nazis was told was poignant, touching, humorous, and heartbreaking.

I really got a fe ...more

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Jan 17, 2017 Kalpana Misra rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

It took me so long to read this book because, quite frankly, I saved it up to read in small doses - like chocolate - because it was just too wonderful to wolf down at one go, which is what I would dearly have love to do. It also lead me to want to read more background articles and books about the Occupation and the role of the Channel Islands. Fascinating, moving, heartfelt, it unravels beautifully - although more than unravelling I'd say that the strands knit together to reveal a lovely picture ...more

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Feb 10, 2016 Margie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I like this book a lot. Was a bit confused in the beginning but once I caught on to the "letter" style it was quite engrossing. Interesting way to get to know the many characters in the book.I tend to stay away from "history" but this book, based on WWII, makes it so much more interesting than the way we study in schools (or at least the way I used to study). I would give it 5 stars but am reserving that # for my very favorites. ...more

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May 22, 2023 D. Wickles rated it really liked it

I've recently discovered that my ancestors lived in The Channel Islands so I was intrigued to read this book. Not only did I get a real sense of the island, I fell in love with the characters. This book shows the fortitude, generosity, strength and determination of the people during the German occupation of Guernsey. I highly recommend this book. ...more

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Sep 30, 2024 Laura D rated it really liked it

This book was a delight. Funny, charming, thought-provoking at times. I enjoyed it very much.

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Apr 09, 2018 Patricia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I LOVED this book. It is the most unusual format for a narrative - letters. You must read this yourself to appreciate it fully. It is the best book I have read this year. ❤️

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Apr 27, 2019 Diane Burton rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book. Written entirely in letters, the story reveals its characters and how they relate to Juliette. I chose this book for our book group to read this month. Most enjoyed it as much as I did. We were fascinated by how the group on the isle of Guernsey got their name and how they survived the German occupation during WWII.

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