The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
by Jenners • 02/01/2010 • 4.5 Stars, B Authors, Fiction, G Titles, Historical, S Authors • 45 Comments
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie BarrowsPublisher: The Dial Press, 2008
Pages: 274
Genre: Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Once again, I’m mixing things up with an off-beat review format. This one is in the form of letters, which fits this book absolutely perfectly.
*****
From Jenners to Loyal Blog Readers
I have read the most delightful book! It has a most ridiculous and cumbersome name—The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—but don’t think it is just a silly little book with not much depth. (And tell me, do you not immediately lump it in with books with other silly names, like Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle-Stop Cafe, without knowing anything about it? I know I did.) This book has something for everyone!
Romance? Check. There is the classic set-up of “The Not Good For You But Oh So Attractive Guy” and the “Off-Beat But Good For You” Guy.
History? Check. Want to know more about World War II and how it affected the Channel Islands? Me neither! But you learn quite a bit about World War II in a painless and fascinating way that truly makes history come alive.
Tragedy? Check. The story lines involving the concentration camps are just heart-breaking.
Whimsy and humor? Check. You’ll just love the colorful characters that populate St. Martin’s Parish on Guernsey Island. One of my favorites was Miss Isola Pribby, letter writer extraordinaire, reader of skulls and Ms. Marple wannabe. And our heroine and primary character, Ms. Juliet Ashton, is absolutely wonderful and everything I wish I could be.
Literary tidbits? Check. The book is (partially) about a literary society, and they often talk about the great books and how they made them feel. I for one want to check out something by Charles Lamb after reading this book.
Unique format? Check. The book is written in epistolary form, which is a fancy way of saying the entire book is written as letters between characters. It was a fun way to get the story, and I was surprised how effective this method was for capturing the personalities, goings on and events of the book. Why do you think I’m writing my review in this way? It gives you a great feel for the book.
I think this book has something for everyone. You don’t often find books that are as delightful as this one, so give it a try. I’m giving it 4.5 stars!
Love,
Jenners
Duh!!! Did we not tell you that over and over again in our glowing reviews for this book? Sure we sometimes rave about books that end up being not as great as we said, but we were right on the money for this one. It was a delight from start to finish. So glad you enjoyed it as much as we did.
Sincerely,
The Book Blogosphere
I’m sorry I won’t be giving away this book. I’m going to send it to my mom instead. I know she’ll love it, and as much as I love you guys, I love my mother more. (Sorry … blood is thicker than blogging.)
Love,
Jenners
P.S. Don’t be mad!!! I have lots of other books I’m giving away. Just check the top of my sidebar!
From Loyal Blog Readers to Jenners
We understand. But we are grumbling a little inside. We’ll forgive you this time.
Love,
Your Loyal Readers
P.S. Stop putting words in our mouths!
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You are brilliant! I still haven't read this book yet, but now I want to more than ever!
Dear Jenners,
I enjoyed your review as much as I enjoyed THAT POTATO PEEL BOOK.
I don't know why I'm even trying to comment in epistolary format, as I won't add anything to your brilliant post.
That's OK, though, blogging is not a competition sport! But, if it were, we'd convince the judges to go past 9.9 on this one.
Your friend in the blogosphere,
Dawn
Hilarious review! So glad it got glowing reviews as it's next on my list and I was feeling a bit as if it would not be any good.
Now – I'm looking forward to reading it!
This is the highlight post of the week as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for such a delightful review in such a unique fashion.
I must dig my copy out of my TBR shelves. It's not even mine! My mom loaned me her copy months ago. I use the term "loaned" very loosely. Luckily my mommy loves me and understands when it takes me ages to get to a book that belongs in her house, not mine.
I believe you are officially the last person in the world to read this book…but glad you loved it!
Dear Jenners,
Oh you make me laugh, thank you for that.
This is on my list, and my friend Wendy recommended, just this week, 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff as "Guernsey but even better!". You may want to check it out.
Yours in blogging,
Rebecca
I did not enjoy this one at all! I am very much in the minority on this but I did enjoy your review of it. Very creative.
I am an avid reader, and I LOVE YOUR BLOG. I found it on Petty Witter. I have added a permanent link to your blog on my blog: http://mollyc-lifewiththecampbells.blogspot.com
Wonderful review! I am definitely with you on this one. I thought it would be so sappy, but it was so well done. Thanks Jenners!
LOL! I love this review format for this book! Great job! I will forgive you for not giving it away since I already have a copy. Thanks for the entertaining and informative review.
I dread it when I see this book being reviewed as, whilst I thought it was well written if you like that kind of thing, I hated it. Oh well, each to their own.
I love, love, LOVED this book so much! It made me smile so often while I was reading it, which is one of the marks of a good book, I think!
Glad you enjoyed it, too!
Your incredibly creative reviews to mix it up a bit are loads of fun! Love your style!
My mom gave me this book months ago and I still haven't read it (bad daughter). I was talking to my friend in France over the weekend and she was trying to translate this title from the French to English. I laughed a lot
She loved the book too (bad friend).
Wonderful review. As always.
Awesome , awesome just awesome. You review made me smile
I loved the book too..Wish I could be as creative as you. Would definitely help in my college assignments 
I loved this book, and I LOVE this review!
I love it! What a great review! I am so glad you liked this book, and for the record, just based on what I know about you which is not enough!–I think you could give Ms. Ashton a run for her money.
Haha! What an entertaining review! Do you feel like you have split personalities now?
Your title caught my eye – I live on Guernsey St! I just attributed it to the cow breeds – we are perpendicular with Jersey St. But now I feel like I need to read this book and learn about Guernsey Island! From now on, when I tell people where I live, I can say, "Guernsey, like the island."
Forgot to add: Loved your review!
Weren't you surprised at how much you loved this book? I didn't think that I'd love it as much as I did. Being single, I now want to write my name in address in some of my favorite books.
Great post! I've also been meaning to read this one… I'll get around to it at some point hopefully.
Love this format. I just read a book with a similar format. I also loved your review. I just love you….am I gushing too much? This book looks good, think I am going to get it at the library, next visit.
I loved this book AND the way you reviewed it. Clever!
I've been a member of QPBC for many years.
Like we were talking about before, I avoided this book, like several others, just because it was freaking everywhere for a while. But I do love books written in epistolary form. I love you got this book for a penny. I also love your telegraph to the FCC- hysterical.
Your review is just perfect…especially the telegram to the FTC.
I could never remember the full title, and just adopted the name someone else gave it… That Potato Peel Book.
Is there NO end to your creativity?! Absolutely loved every aspect of this amazing review and epistolary commentary
I love this book also-great review
I loved this book.
Can't believe you signed up with QPB again. I have resisted their temptations for the last 5 years,
Your review style is great; i liked this one too Jenners.
I loved this book PLUS I loved your review! Bravo!
Leave it to you to do such a delightful and appropriate review on this book! This was my book club selection not too long ago and I never got around to reading it. I was in Hawaii and was sampling lighter reading fare! In any case your review does remind me that I have been pretty negligent in not picking this one up sooner. I seem to like to be the last person who reads something! ha
This is a book that I keep walking around too – maybe I'll read it now.
Love the review!
You've got such a creative way to write reviews. I need to take some lessons.
You can run, hide and resist, but ultimately nobody is going to not love this book. I might add that the audio was phenomenal, with separate narrators for each character. I glowed when it was finished.
I love your review format for this one and it is very apropos for the book!
I am reading this next for book club and can't wait – everyone has raved about it! I plan to gift mine to my Mom as well – it sounds like a book she will really enjoy!
Great post
I got this book recently and gave it to my mom to read first, but I'm excited to read it soon, too! So thrilled it gets such good reviews!
I love your creativity. I had never considered picking up this book. For whatever it didn't get my attention. You may have just changed my mind..
I'm glad you found this book to be delightful and your review is top-notch charming!!
This book has been on my TBR list forever. I guess I just need to break down and finally read it.
I love the letters. Very funny, as always.
I know I'm odd, but the quirky title actually drew me in.
I really loved this book, and hoped there would be a sequel, just so I can catch up with what all the folks across the pond are doing.
It took me a while to get to this book because of the crazy title, but once I did, I loved it too!
I'm a fan of QPB myself…have been a member since my college days!
Apparently many people who read this book have been inspired to try to recreate potato peel pie, but have been disappointed with the outcome! Personally I feel there is no harm in naming apple slices "potato peels" and taking it from there…
I LOVE when you get creative with your book reviews! This was so much fun! I loved Guernsey too and feel sure your mom will as well.
I also resisted and ultimately very much enjoyed this book. However, as I have commented elsewhere, I found it very reminiscent of D.E. Stevenson's books (nearly all out of print but much beloved in their day). I am sure the author grew up on these books as did I, and those who liked this book should keep an eye on library book sales to find DES discards.
Some readers complained that the voice in the various letters did not vary between characters. That may be inevitable when the author has such a mannered style but did not detract from my reading pleasure.