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Bionic Jean's Reviews > The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
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Don't let the title put you off. Or the fact that it has two authors (the second recruited apparently when the first, her aunt, sadly became too ill to complete it.) Or the fact that it is a series of letters, or what literary types call an "epistolary novel". Or the whispering on the grapevine that it's a cosy piece, mostly read by women. All these tended to make me hesitate. But I'm so glad I persevered.
The book has a post-war setting, but much of the action refers to the Nazi Occupation of Guernsey during World War II. I was dubious that American authors would really capture the feel of these times for Guernsey folk, or the nuances of life on such a small island. I was wrong.
The island characters are a delight. The viewpoint character with her London-based world less so, though I appreciated that there needed to be a contrast here. Neither does the novel pull any punches when describing events in Nazi Concentration camps. To cover such a broad spectrum of experience and mood requires a skilful author, whom we have.
Enough has been written elsewhere giving descriptions of this novel. It seems to be the sort of novel you either love or hate. I personally enjoyed it a lot and found it to have a unique angle on WWII fiction. There was one flaw however. I did find that the ending was somewhat hackneyed and totally predictable.
Has it been made into a film yet? If not, I can guarantee that some bright spark will want to adapt it. I'm not sure the letter format will make for an easy transition. One can but hope.
The book has a post-war setting, but much of the action refers to the Nazi Occupation of Guernsey during World War II. I was dubious that American authors would really capture the feel of these times for Guernsey folk, or the nuances of life on such a small island. I was wrong.
The island characters are a delight. The viewpoint character with her London-based world less so, though I appreciated that there needed to be a contrast here. Neither does the novel pull any punches when describing events in Nazi Concentration camps. To cover such a broad spectrum of experience and mood requires a skilful author, whom we have.
Enough has been written elsewhere giving descriptions of this novel. It seems to be the sort of novel you either love or hate. I personally enjoyed it a lot and found it to have a unique angle on WWII fiction. There was one flaw however. I did find that the ending was somewhat hackneyed and totally predictable.
Has it been made into a film yet? If not, I can guarantee that some bright spark will want to adapt it. I'm not sure the letter format will make for an easy transition. One can but hope.
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Reading Progress
March 1, 2013
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Started Reading
March 23, 2013
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Finished Reading
April 11, 2013
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Candi
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Oct 13, 2015 07:49AM
Glad to see you liked it, Jean. Makes me more eager to read it!
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I hope you'll enjoy it too, Candi :)
For what it's worth, I loved this book! I have been wishing that the author had lived long enough to write more.
One of the very, very few books that I've given up, and given away! Hey-Ho!
Interesting, John.
Given your review, Jean, and Sandy's comment, I may well give it another go when I see it.
Maybe you have to be in the mood? I wondered whether to ask you if you found it too "cosy" as it's split into three parts really, one about the viewpoint character's London life (rather tiresome) another a sort of anecdotal comfort read about the islanders, which is good if you have the flu, and the concentration camp stuff. Bit mixed really though.Maybe a skim read since you've given it a go already?
Well, my memory is that I borrowed it from the library with several others, started it, thought it was just 'slight' and having others to read, left it and didn't return. Unusual for me not to ensure that I had grasped the essence of the book. Slapped wrist deserved!
I read this earlier this year after it had been sitting on my to be read list for 6 years and I loved it. I almost wish I'd read it sooner.
Excellent review Jean.I loved the book. (prepared to hate it because of the title and the cover)
Me too John LOL! I didn't think it would be my sort of thing at all ;)And thanks :)
I read this book a few years ago and loved it, too! Do wish the "bright spark" would show up soon, but then I am an American and I think everything should be "made for Hollywood", which is not necessarily a good thing :P ;-)
LOL Portia :) I should be less flippant with my choice of words ...
Oh, I loved this book. I think I went back and forth for a while over 5 vs. 4 stars.
It was surprisingly good, I thought. 4 stars is a very good rating from me for a contemporary novel! :)
Jean wrote: "It was surprisingly good, I thought. 4 stars is a very good rating from me for a contemporary novel! :)"Jean, Good to know. I know it had its flaws but this is one time when I didn't care.
I recently saw that there's a movie in production now. It was bound to happen. :-)
LOL Mary Lou - perhaps I should say you saw it here first! Let's hope they make a good job of it :)
I bought this one recently and am really looking forward to reading it !
Great review, I enjoyed this book
I hope you enjoy it G.J :)
Thank you very much, Carol :)
Maybe give it a try Marita? And I hope you enjoy if if you do :)
I like the title, but I am a sucker for weirdness. Also, I have never read an epistolary novel I didn't like, so it definitely made my list of new things to read., in other words, you had me at epistolary. Sigh. . .
Rita, The book isn't cutesy and there is a good reason for the title. It is unfortunate if it's off putting to some potential readers.
Lisa - I agree. Thanks for commenting!I can quite see where you're coming from Rita, and indeed I know two male readers who have assumed it to be that great turn-off for some of us, "women's fiction", but I should give it a try if I were you :)
LOL Thanks Beverley!
You're welcome Jean!
Rita wrote: "I didn't mean to be insulting. There are so very..."The adage "you can't judge a book by its cover" is true, but it's impossible not to. I've mistakenly re-read two awful books, for which I blame an excellent cover designer! As for Guernsey, I tend to agree about the title. I read it, loved it, but after all these years, still can't get the title right when I recommend it to others. I bungle it every time! Working in a library, I've encountered others who can't get it right, either. It does, to my ears, sound a little hokey, and definitely like chick-lit junk food, rather than Literature.
Rita wrote: "I didn't mean to be insulting. There are so very many good books to read, sometimes just not liking the title can cause a book to be put aside."Rita, I actually sometimes like cutesy. It's just a shame if people don't look past a title or cover to see what kind of book it is.
Excellent review, Jean. You're right. This book has been made into a film. But the book, in my view, is way stronger.
Mary Lou wrote: "I read it, loved it, but after all these years, still can't get the title right when I recommend it to others. I bungle it every time! ..."So do I, Mary Lou! I think it's the "pie" bit that stumps me ;)
Laysee wrote: "Excellent review, Jean. You're right. This book has been made into a film. But the book, in my view, is way stronger."Has it really? How funny ... but maybe I won't bother, then. Thanks for the heads-up Laysee :)
I'm curious as to why you feel an American writer wouldn't understand the nuances of life on the small island? It's not like we don't have plenty of those over here!
John wrote: "I'm curious as to why you feel an American writer wouldn't understand the nuances of life on the small island? It's not like we don't have plenty of those over here!"My actual words were "I was dubious that American authors would really capture the feel of these times for Guernsey folk, or the nuances of life on such a small island. I was wrong."
Surely it's hard enough to capture the feeling of a particular historical period in your own culture, and even more difficult in another? Even more specifically, I would expect someone to feel more conversant with their own county within England, Scotland, Wales or Ireland ... and Guernsey is a unique island, being self-governing (ie., not part of the UK) and having a slightly French feel.
Each state in the US, in the same way, must have its own character - and any islands included in that State probably have slightly different traditions, history and vernacular. To embrace the nuances of this, plus the specific historical setting is quite an achievement, which, as I said, I considered these two authors had done well. (As far as I can tell ... I know Guernsey, but not the time period!)
A wonderful novel and a good film 👍
I've only just caught up with this review Jean, excellent. I watched the film with my wife at Christmas, and thoroughly enjoyed it, so if the book is better ?!?!?
Thanks for commenting G.J. and Adrian. Like you Adrian, I watched the film at Christmas, and did quite enjoy it, thankfully!But yes, the book is better, as you seem to think too G. J. As it usually is :)
Just bought this at the charity shop today, Jean. Looking forward to reading it!I love epistolary novel, 84 Charing Cross road was wonderful!
Tom wrote: "Just bought this at the charity shop today, Jean. Looking forward to reading it!I love epistolary novel, 84 Charing Cross road was wonderful!"
I hope you enjoy it Tom! And I agree about 84, Charing Cross Road :) I saw that on stage in the West End.
It is a film Jean featuring Lily James and it's wonderful!! I love it!
I did finally get to see it, Teresa :) Thank you!
Lovely review, Jean! I enjoyed this one immensely as well as the movie.
Thanks Lori :)
