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Tatiana's Reviews > The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
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Update 8/13/2018
Just saw the movie adaptation. Very faithful to the book, if not in plot (can't remember details 7 years later), certainly in tone. Saccharine and especially annoying in its watered down portrayal of Nazi occupation. Suffering-lite.
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.
Just saw the movie adaptation. Very faithful to the book, if not in plot (can't remember details 7 years later), certainly in tone. Saccharine and especially annoying in its watered down portrayal of Nazi occupation. Suffering-lite.
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.
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I know very little about this book, but the letter format is one of my favorite, so we shall see.
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.
I do see its appeal, but... Well, you know how it is. I needed more drama!
Yeah, I liked it, but I thought it was kind of superficial. But cute, in an old lady kind of way.
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!
Great! Hope I didn't overhype it:)
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.
I thought the characters got annoying too, but nobody I know seemed to think so.
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 very much like diary, letter, etc. format. I'll add your suggestion to my TBR.
Great. I really liked it. I heard the second book (it's a trilogy) is even better.
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.
My sentiments exactly!
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.
you get to know these characters through the letters , it is not meant to be direct or complete. The way people looked at things in a matter a fact way is not hokey but the reality of people having to make really important decisions with no access to information. It is very genuine and reminds me a great deal of my mother's memory of this time .... as she was a young adult during the war.
You're spot on with this review. And "your standard feel-good commercial fiction with no depth" describes my issue with many popular titles.
Yes, I tried this - didn't like, bored.
Saw the movie adaptation on BBC iPlayer and was wondering if I should force myself through this before watching. I don’t know why but just reading the title brings on a bout of narcolepsy in me and, having read your review, I’ll probably give both the book and the film a miss. life’s too short
Gloria wrote: "Saw the movie adaptation on BBC iPlayer and was wondering if I should force myself through this before watching. I don’t know why but just reading the title brings on a bout of narcolepsy in me and..."I would recommend it only if you are in a mood for something syrupy sweet.
Look forward to reading your review.