[Guest]

I just finished this wonderful, sweet and endearing book by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows. It is a story about Juliet Ashton, a war-weary London journalist who is drawn into the war time stories of a group of people on Guernsey, a channel island occupied by the Germans during WWII. Rich in history from an unusual point of view. I personally had never heard of this occupation.

The story is written in epistolary style. The style is perfect for the introduction of the cast of characters. The number grows to about 15 or so, but the reader is never left puzzling over who is who. I found myself wishing I had friends such as most of these characters. Some of their stories will break your heart, but for the most part you want to stand and cheer their courage, spirit and dogged determination. They are a mixed bag of personalities brought together in desperate times. Their society was forged from a lie to a German soldier, but remained together by the discovery of books and the ideas they inspire.

Juliet's story is one of growth and discovery of what she is looking for from life. Along the way, she finds the family she did not know she needed. While the ultimate ending to the story is seen early on, when it finally arrives it makes the story satisfyingly full and complete.

The Guernsey Literary...[br]

(Added Kindle Store link - Admin.)

 

[Suzanne]

Thank you for that review. It's on my Wish List at Amazon, but I must first read the two books I have on my Kindle before i purchase it. (Absolute Power by Baldacci which I bought from Amazon & Lady Oracle by Margaret Atwood, a freebie I emailed to my Kindle address)

 

[Guest]

You are much welcome. Love the name by the way. I am also a knitter, but that passion is suffering right now due to the Kindle.

 

[Jeff]

You have a gift, LuckyRainbow. Your review is terrific. I’m all thumbs when trying to boil many words down to a few.

Jeff

 

[Guest]

Thanks Jeff, that means a lot coming from you.

 

[chynared21]

Thanks for a great review LuckyR....I was on the fence about this one but it'll go onto my Wishlist now

 

[Angela]

Thanks for the review Lucky! It is now on my wish list!

 

[Guest]

Thanks to Harvey for the link to Amazon. Great addition.

 

[Leslie]

There's an indie author named Libby Cone who posts alot on Amazon. She wrote a book called War On the Margins which takes place during WWII on one of the German occupied Channel Islands, same as this book. I haven't had a chance to read Libby's book yet, or this one, but I was thinking when I get to them, it might be an interesting back-to-back pair.

War on the Margins[br]

L

(Added Kindle link - Admin.)

 

[Eclectic Reader]

I LOVED this book! It was fun to read (it sort of reminded me in many ways of 84 Charing Cross Road (which I also loved).

Thanks, Leslie, for the tip about War on the Margins. I've always had an interest in WW II, and I never knew about the Channel Islands being occupied. I'm adding that title to my list.

 

[Suzanne]

I LOVED this book! It was fun to read (it sort of reminded me in many ways of 84 Charing Cross Road (which I also loved).

Thanks, Leslie, for the tip about War on the Margins. I've always had an interest in WW II, and I never knew about the Channel Islands being occupied. I'm adding that title to my list.

Oh thank you, Eclectic Reader! 84 Charing Cross Road is one I've meant to read. I must put that on my wish list at Amazon!

 

[Cuechick]

I LOVED this book! It was fun to read (it sort of reminded me in many ways of 84 Charing Cross Road (which I also loved).

Thanks, Leslie, for the tip about War on the Margins. I've always had an interest in WW II, and I never knew about the Channel Islands being occupied. I'm adding that title to my list.

I have just started this book (The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society) but it also has brought, 84 Charing Cross Road to mind...which is also one of the best film adaptions and one of all time favorite movies!
Not in Kindle format but so good, I suggest everyone click and ask for it in Kindle format. And if you have never seen the movie, it is really worth renting ASAP!
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/84_Charing_Cross_Road/60023132?trkid=222336&lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=114820824_0_0

 

[Cuechick]

After I made my last post, I noticed 84 Charing Cross Road is one of those "instant" Netflix you can watch on your computer. I have seen this movie at least 4 times, including in the theater when it came out. I have never used the instant download, so I decided to try it and watched the entire movie and cried as I always have. It just does not get old, I love it. And what a great feature from Netflix, it is a free to do this and does not effect your number of mailed DVDs.

I will also add, there are not many movies I would sit through more than once. For me, that it takes a rare exception. Oh and I am loving this book too by the way!

 

[Cuechick]

I just finished this as well and really loved it. At first I was not sure about the format (told in letters and other correspondence) but you soon forget about that. The story comes through loud and clear and is both heartbreaking and uplifting. Loved it!! I and I love that it was recommended to me by one of my many KB friends!

My only criticism is it ended too soon!

 

[Carol Hanrahan]

I loved this book too!  Didn't it make you want to go visit the Channel Islands?  Now I have to go check out 84 Charing Cross Road and War on the Margins.

 

[KindleMom]

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society came out in paperback this week so the Kindle price dropped! Depending on which computer I'm on it's $8.21 on one and $8.40 on the other. Sadly when I log it I get the more expensive price and am not sure how to get the better price. At least it's not a huge difference.

It's now on my TBR list! Maybe if I wait until I'm ready to read it to purchase it I'll get the better price.

And of course, the paperback is listed at $7.56 so I won't be buying the Kindle version. What is up with Amazon and their pricing? Eeesh.

 

[worktolive]

IMHO, it was worth it at $9.99. Definitely one of the most enjoyable books I've read this year, and it had the added bonus of teaching me some WWII history that I knew nothing about. Now I really want to visit the Channel Islands......

 

[mlewis78]

IMHO, it was worth it at $9.99. Definitely one of the most enjoyable books I've read this year, and it had the added bonus of teaching me some WWII history that I knew nothing about. Now I really want to visit the Channel Islands......

This reminds me that PBS aired on Masterpiece Theater a few years ago a British TV movie about German occupation of one of the Channel Islands. It was excellent. If I can find the name of it, I will post it. It may be available on dvd (netflix).

 

[davem2bits]

This reminds me that PBS aired on Masterpiece Theater a few years ago a British TV movie about German occupation of one of the Channel Islands. It was excellent. If I can find the name of it, I will post it. It may be available on dvd (netflix).

The Masterpiece Theatre series you are looking for was "Island at War". Should be available from Netflix or Blockbuster.

I read Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society several months ago and enjoyed it also. Recommend to all.

 

[KindleMom]

Off to Netflix...

Thanks for the recommendations, davem2bits.