blewballoon's review against another edition

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funny informative lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I listened to this as an audiobook that had a large cast of narrators to cover all of the different voices, and I adored it. I didn't know much about the book going into it, I knew I had liked the movie and one of my favorite narrators (Rosalyn Landor) was included. It is much better than the movie. Despite being told in epistolary style, the characters feel so rich and real. It was easy to see how Juliet would grow to love them, and they to love her.

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jja_b's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A charming read. I thought this was a very melancholic but sweet tale, and the characters’ experiences during the occupation were moving.

I did struggle with the writing style a bit at first (an epistolary novel I believe it’s called??) but I ended up really liking it. I think the film adaption is great, but I think I might prefer the book a lil more.

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ghostieberry's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-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? Yes

5.0


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naomi_k's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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rucha_s's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Epistolary novel, highly plot driven. Light hearted with some touching moments. The literary society forms the crux of the plot and will especially appeal to anyone who loves books about books. 

However, despite all its charm and appeal,I knocked off two stars (mild spoilers ahead, proceed with caution)

What didn't work for me was the wide assortment of characters that get introduced as the plot progresses. I started to lose track, I think it has also got a lot to do with the book being written in the epistolary style as it lacks a straightforward narrative voice. In the end I gave up and only retained the names of the 3-4 central characters. 

The ending also is rather abrupt. It just ends with the two main characters getting married but what about the book getting published? The book for which Juliet travels to Guernsey? Yes that book which basically drives the plot until the (very sudden) end? And what about her desire to adopt Elizabeth's daughter? I feel those where some very key plot lines that were left open, not in the way of an appealing open ended story but in a very frustrating way. 

It was also unfair on Juliet as the author has made her come across as someone who eventually marries and settles and forgets what she was working so hard for (remember Juliet also breaks up with a boyfriend as he had reservations about her ambitions of writing about the Occupation of Guernsey). 

So why hasn't Juliet talked about her book (or making sure it gets published) in her letter to Sidney. Disappointing!


Final words

Overall a very enjoyable book, especially if you're an incurable bookworm. It is practically littered with quotable quotes. The ending is a MAJOR let down. It had me smiling ear to ear until I realised it was the end and the book really wasn't progressing any further than that. Hmphff!! 



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rieviolet's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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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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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danajoy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

3.5


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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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