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A review by theboundless_bookworm
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows, Mary Ann Shaffer
5.0
I got wind of this book from a fellow book club member, and I was told that a film adaptation was made in 2018. My impatience got the best of me, leading me to watch the cinematic version before delving into the pages. Surprisingly, this unconventional approach offered an exciting advantage: experiencing the movie on its own merits without excessive comparison to the source material.
This unique order of consumption, watching the film adaptation before reading the book, presented an unconventional lens through which to view the story. Often, when a reader encounters a film adaptation after immersing themselves in the book, the tendency to scrutinize every detail for fidelity to the original work can sometimes overshadow the cinematic experience. However, my inverted approach allowed me to appreciate the film for its narrative and visual portrayal, unburdened by preconceived expectations derived from the book.
The film adaptation, while charming in its own right, unfortunately, lacked the vibrant humor that shone through the epistolary charm of the original book. Every character in the book exhibited delightful nuances, with even the typically righteous Miss Adelaide Addison proving to be a marvel in her own right.
Another notable aspect is the book's delicate balance, offering a lighter portrayal of life during the Occupation yet remaining inherently poignant. The author's style echoes a distinct familiarity akin to the Brontë sisters' writing style. Like the heroines in the Bronte books, Juliet Ashton was depicted as a self-assured woman whose candid nature sets her apart from women typically expected to be reserved and submissive, avoiding speaking their minds. We get to witness her character development—a woman who wanted to be taken seriously as a writer and then finds her watershed moment among a group of strangers.
Moreover, the women in the book all depict nuances in character, values, and beliefs. A strong-willed and principled character, Elizabeth McKenna served as the book's posthumous heroine, inspiring Juliet's pivotal display of bravery. Additionally, we encounter Adelaide Addison, who is both ever-righteous and borderline misogynistic, representing those who look down on women they deem immoral.
Overall, 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' is more than just a straightforward love story; it portrays the sacrifice of love for societal and moral reasons rather than solely due to personal inhibitions. It serves as a social narrative—an ode to those who have loved, lost, and found love during and in the aftermath of war, amidst the most unlikely of predicaments.
This unique order of consumption, watching the film adaptation before reading the book, presented an unconventional lens through which to view the story. Often, when a reader encounters a film adaptation after immersing themselves in the book, the tendency to scrutinize every detail for fidelity to the original work can sometimes overshadow the cinematic experience. However, my inverted approach allowed me to appreciate the film for its narrative and visual portrayal, unburdened by preconceived expectations derived from the book.
The film adaptation, while charming in its own right, unfortunately, lacked the vibrant humor that shone through the epistolary charm of the original book. Every character in the book exhibited delightful nuances, with even the typically righteous Miss Adelaide Addison proving to be a marvel in her own right.
Another notable aspect is the book's delicate balance, offering a lighter portrayal of life during the Occupation yet remaining inherently poignant. The author's style echoes a distinct familiarity akin to the Brontë sisters' writing style. Like the heroines in the Bronte books, Juliet Ashton was depicted as a self-assured woman whose candid nature sets her apart from women typically expected to be reserved and submissive, avoiding speaking their minds. We get to witness her character development—a woman who wanted to be taken seriously as a writer and then finds her watershed moment among a group of strangers.
Moreover, the women in the book all depict nuances in character, values, and beliefs. A strong-willed and principled character, Elizabeth McKenna served as the book's posthumous heroine, inspiring Juliet's pivotal display of bravery. Additionally, we encounter Adelaide Addison, who is both ever-righteous and borderline misogynistic, representing those who look down on women they deem immoral.
Overall, 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' is more than just a straightforward love story; it portrays the sacrifice of love for societal and moral reasons rather than solely due to personal inhibitions. It serves as a social narrative—an ode to those who have loved, lost, and found love during and in the aftermath of war, amidst the most unlikely of predicaments.