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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

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Book Brief

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Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008
Book Details
Pages

291

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Guernsey • 1940s

Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

Lexile Level

930L

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Super Short Summary

Set shortly after WWII, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society follows London-based writer Juliet Ashton, who begins corresponding with Guernsey islander Dawsey Adams. Intrigued by Dawsey’s literary society, Juliet learns about the members' experiences during the German Occupation, visiting the island, uncovering its history, and forging deep connections, ultimately finding love. The novel includes depictions of the German Occupation and Nazi concentration camps, with references to sexual assault and exploitation.

Heartwarming

Bittersweet

Nostalgic

Inspirational

Romantic

Reviews & Readership

4.4

808,428 ratings

81%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is praised for its charming epistolary format and endearing characters, though some find the plot predictable. Its historical backdrop of post-WWII adds depth, but a few readers feel the story can be overly sentimental. Overall, it's an engaging and heartwarming read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society?

Readers who enjoy The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society appreciate historical fiction set in World War II, epistolary novels, and stories of resilience and camaraderie. Fans of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak will find similar emotional depth and historical insight in this novel.

4.4

808,428 ratings

81%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Character List

Juliet Ashton

A successful writer and the central protagonist who navigates post-war Britain and the unfolding stories of the German Occupation in Guernsey, while forming deep connections with the local community.

A reserved and thoughtful farmer from Guernsey who loves books, particularly those by Charles Lamb, and plays a significant role in Juliet's exploration of the island's wartime history.

An islander whose wartime experiences and relationships, especially with her daughter, significantly impact the narrative, despite her absence.

The young daughter of Elizabeth McKenna, known for her perceptivity and wily nature, around whom the community and Juliet gather to provide care and support.

Juliet’s devoted editor and close friend, known for his astute publishing insights and supportive nature.

An influential member of the Guernsey society known for her kindness and pivotal role in the group's formation.

A community member recognized for her eccentricity and keen interest in detective work and phrenology, who becomes an ally to Juliet.

An astute and compassionate member of the society, with a strong, though sorrow-filled, connection to his family history.

Once a valet who took on a false identity during the war, his actions inadvertently led to the formation of the society.

The creator of the society's namesake Potato Peel Pie and a key founding member of the group.

A resilient Frenchwoman who survived the Ravensbrück concentration camp and seeks to rebuild her life following her release.

A charming American publisher whose courtship of Juliet is marked by his domineering tendencies and lack of true appreciation for literature.

Book Details
Pages

291

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Guernsey • 1940s

Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

Lexile Level

930L

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