Reviews with content warning for Slavery - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I went into this book not expecting much, I thought it would be just a pleasant and easy read to end the year and start a new one, but oh boy it was much more! I'm not the biggest fan of WW2 fiction but this book was a very pleasant surprise.

I really liked how the authors didn't shy away from and handled the heavy topics related to war, occupation and concentration camps. But, at the same time, the book was also very hopeful and filled with such lovely humour and funny situations.
I really loved the big cast of characters, with all their idiosyncrasies, they felt really well depicted and vivid on the page.

I appreciated the narrative choice of telling the story through letters/telegrams and the theme of "reading/loving books" that was an undercurrent throughout the story.

I'm not giving full marks because some plot points and situations felt a little bit too predictable or far-fetched/bizarre, although it made for a very heartwarming and feel-good story.

All in all, a lovely way to begin a new reading year!

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rosinawrites7's review

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funny informative inspiring lighthearted sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

A great insight into Guernsey during World War 2 and a satisfying read, though I don't think I'd read it again. I do like the story being told through letters, that's fun!

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ashlou's review

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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novi's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

It is delightful, sad, and heratwarming. Just a story that's full of heart. Perfect if you love story about life in a small village/island with its interesting people; and if you just love books and readings. I wasn't expecting this book to be sad, I thought it's just gonna be like a chicklit. But it's more than that and it made me sad (in a good way, it means the book did its job). There are a lot of stories about war and its effects here (no bombs or politics, but the other parts of it), but it added more value and those stories are what made this book is so full of heart because every character is just so kind and resilience. But there are also some action, conflict, and drama, which were fun!

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