A review by booksandbongs
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows, Mary Ann Shaffer

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted fast-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

“We clung to books and to our friends; they reminded us that we had another part to us.”

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a World War II-era novel by Mary Ann Shaffer. We follow the journey of writer Juliet Ashton as she establishes correspondence with the members of a literary society residing on the island of Guernsey. Through these exchanges, she gains insights into the island’s unique culture, the profound impact of the German occupation, and the resilience of its inhabitants. 

I love that this book reads like letters from a best friend. It is the perfect balance of sweet and serious, it creates a beautiful and poignant story of the effect of war on a small island community. The characters really bring this to life, they are all so lovable and quirky in their own ways. Honorable mention to Isola and Sidney for being my favorite characters. The meandering plot filled with storytelling fits the tone of the story really well. Even with the heavy themes, this is a wonderful feel good book that leaves you feeling like you just had a hug from the characters. A large theme is holding onto hope and finding joy in the little things, which feels particularly applicable to life currently. Definitely check this one out if you haven’t! Thank you to my sister, Haley, for the excellent recommendation 💜