January 1946: Londin is emerging from the shadows of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb... As Juliet and her new correspond exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends - and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfews by the Germans occupying their island - boasts a charming, funny, deeply human casts of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever (from Goodreads).
What did you like best?
Rachel: This book surprised me with how funny it was. I was expecting this super-serious book, and while the subject matter is incredibly serious and poignant, the book doesn't allow its characters to be hindered by their past. It has shaped them, of course, but their lives and their loves go on. Perhaps if I'd watched the trailer for the movie, I'd have had a better idea of what to expect.
Sophie: I'm the opposite; I saw the film trailer so I knew it was a romantic/comedy/drama but I was surprised by how it went back into the war and discussed some of the horrible things that happened to everyone involved in a serious matter while also managing to keep a pretty positive, hopeful attitude.
What did you like least?
S: I can't really pick a specific thing I didn't like. I think it was a pretty well-rounded romantic drama. Maybe it took me a while to get into the letter structure and remember who certain characters were.
R: I wish it had been longer, and that I'd seen the film when it was out.
S: same, it would have been interesting to see how they adapted so much information.
What books does this remind you of?
R: the fact the book was compiled from letters, the book reminded me of Where Rainbows End by Cecilia Ahern. I've only read a few books in this format, and that is one that has long stuck in my head. It swept me off my feet, and taught me how you could learn to love a character through correspondence. This book reminded me of that fact.
S: I'm the same. As I've mentioned I didn't read a lot for a long time so my book references are pretty low, but I read Where Rainbows End when I was younger too, and while I've forgotten most of it the letter structure immediately reminded me of that.
Which character/characters did you like best?
R: Juliet, our main character, was up there as one of my favourites. She is definitely the one I identify with personally, as she's so stubborn and determined to be who she wants to be, and she has a borderline obsession with books (during an air raid she leaves her post as a fire warden to go help them save books, before she ends up needing saving herself due to smoke inhalation). That's me all over.
S: I liked Juliet too; she was headstrong and determined. I really liked that she stayed that way throughout. I also liked Isola, Kit and Sidney. They all added something different to the story more so than the others. Elizabeth sounded cool too.
Which ones did you not like?
S: there weren't many characters that weren't likeable, or were important enough to have an opinion on besides Mark, who was a twat.
R: agreed. Why did Juliet ever like him?
If it were made into a movie, who would you cast?
R: I came to know about this book because I saw the poster for the movie in the underground on the way to work. Lily James was already in my head as Juliet, based on the poster, which was fine as I like her in period dramas. I had imagined someone rugged for Dawsey, perhaps a less-put together Mr Darcy type. Michael Huisman does actually play Dawsey in the movie, and I think that is a fitting choice - he has that gentle but genuine smile that I feel is essential for portraying Dawsey.
S: watching the trailer, no one jumped out at me as being the 'wrong' choice. I did think Isola would be more eccentric than Katherine Parkinson's look.
R: same. I don't know who I imagined, but she should have looked more witchy.
Have you read any of the author's other books? How do they compare?
R: Mary Ann Shaffer, one of the writers, passed awya in 2008 before being able to write another novel. Annie Barrows, her niece and co-author, has written a few children's books, but I haven't read them.
S: me neither.
What did you think of the book's length? If it's too long, what would you cut? If it's too short, what would you add?
R: I feel the book was a good solid length. The story felt like it was coming to an end as the book reads its final chapters. I would have liked it to have been longer, to live in this world, a little longer, but I don't feel it would have been of any benefit to the natural progression of the book.
S: I think the length was good but I do wish the end was little more drawn out. I get it's all excitement and the whole novel is set over a few months, maybe almost a year? But the last chapter still felt like 'woah, okay, I guess this is happening right now'. Which was romantic but I kind of wish it was more spread out.
What song does this book make you think of?
R: some sweeping shots to the tune of a little James Horner were imagined, but I listened to the movie's instrumental soundtrack for some of the book and really enjoyed it. It had the tone of the book - melancholy but upbeat at the same time.
What do you think of the cover? Does it work? If the book has been published with different covers, which one do you like best?
R: now, I usually never say this, but I liked the film tie-in cover more than the original book cover. It features Lily James as Juliet on the cover, suitcase in hand, with a beautiful scenic view of Guernsey in the background. Other covers mostly include some form of letter on the cover.
S: I agree. I think the film tie-in is a bit more exciting. The others make it look a bit more serious, which it is, but it's also funny and heart-warming. I don't get that from the envelope book covers.
Which character would you most like to meet?
R: I feel I'm like Juliet in a lot of ways, and I think I would like to meet Isola. Have a few pretty eccentric and weird best friends, but an addition to the mix would be welcome.
S: Juliet and Isola. I just think they're both pretty neat.
Would you want to live in this world?
R: I've never been to Guernsey before, and to be honest never had a particular inkling to go. It seemed so far away - why go to Guernsey if Europe is so close? But after this book, learning a little more of the occupation, I may look into what if the history still exists there and perhaps take a trip.
S: I think a trip nowadays would be nice, but it would be a big no to going in the 40s.
What did you like least?
S: I can't really pick a specific thing I didn't like. I think it was a pretty well-rounded romantic drama. Maybe it took me a while to get into the letter structure and remember who certain characters were.
R: I wish it had been longer, and that I'd seen the film when it was out.
S: same, it would have been interesting to see how they adapted so much information.
What books does this remind you of?
R: the fact the book was compiled from letters, the book reminded me of Where Rainbows End by Cecilia Ahern. I've only read a few books in this format, and that is one that has long stuck in my head. It swept me off my feet, and taught me how you could learn to love a character through correspondence. This book reminded me of that fact.
S: I'm the same. As I've mentioned I didn't read a lot for a long time so my book references are pretty low, but I read Where Rainbows End when I was younger too, and while I've forgotten most of it the letter structure immediately reminded me of that.
Which character/characters did you like best?
R: Juliet, our main character, was up there as one of my favourites. She is definitely the one I identify with personally, as she's so stubborn and determined to be who she wants to be, and she has a borderline obsession with books (during an air raid she leaves her post as a fire warden to go help them save books, before she ends up needing saving herself due to smoke inhalation). That's me all over.
S: I liked Juliet too; she was headstrong and determined. I really liked that she stayed that way throughout. I also liked Isola, Kit and Sidney. They all added something different to the story more so than the others. Elizabeth sounded cool too.
Which ones did you not like?
S: there weren't many characters that weren't likeable, or were important enough to have an opinion on besides Mark, who was a twat.
R: agreed. Why did Juliet ever like him?
If it were made into a movie, who would you cast?
R: I came to know about this book because I saw the poster for the movie in the underground on the way to work. Lily James was already in my head as Juliet, based on the poster, which was fine as I like her in period dramas. I had imagined someone rugged for Dawsey, perhaps a less-put together Mr Darcy type. Michael Huisman does actually play Dawsey in the movie, and I think that is a fitting choice - he has that gentle but genuine smile that I feel is essential for portraying Dawsey.
S: watching the trailer, no one jumped out at me as being the 'wrong' choice. I did think Isola would be more eccentric than Katherine Parkinson's look.
R: same. I don't know who I imagined, but she should have looked more witchy.
Have you read any of the author's other books? How do they compare?
R: Mary Ann Shaffer, one of the writers, passed awya in 2008 before being able to write another novel. Annie Barrows, her niece and co-author, has written a few children's books, but I haven't read them.
S: me neither.
What did you think of the book's length? If it's too long, what would you cut? If it's too short, what would you add?
R: I feel the book was a good solid length. The story felt like it was coming to an end as the book reads its final chapters. I would have liked it to have been longer, to live in this world, a little longer, but I don't feel it would have been of any benefit to the natural progression of the book.
S: I think the length was good but I do wish the end was little more drawn out. I get it's all excitement and the whole novel is set over a few months, maybe almost a year? But the last chapter still felt like 'woah, okay, I guess this is happening right now'. Which was romantic but I kind of wish it was more spread out.
What song does this book make you think of?
R: some sweeping shots to the tune of a little James Horner were imagined, but I listened to the movie's instrumental soundtrack for some of the book and really enjoyed it. It had the tone of the book - melancholy but upbeat at the same time.
What do you think of the cover? Does it work? If the book has been published with different covers, which one do you like best?
R: now, I usually never say this, but I liked the film tie-in cover more than the original book cover. It features Lily James as Juliet on the cover, suitcase in hand, with a beautiful scenic view of Guernsey in the background. Other covers mostly include some form of letter on the cover.
S: I agree. I think the film tie-in is a bit more exciting. The others make it look a bit more serious, which it is, but it's also funny and heart-warming. I don't get that from the envelope book covers.
Which character would you most like to meet?
R: I feel I'm like Juliet in a lot of ways, and I think I would like to meet Isola. Have a few pretty eccentric and weird best friends, but an addition to the mix would be welcome.
S: Juliet and Isola. I just think they're both pretty neat.
Would you want to live in this world?
R: I've never been to Guernsey before, and to be honest never had a particular inkling to go. It seemed so far away - why go to Guernsey if Europe is so close? But after this book, learning a little more of the occupation, I may look into what if the history still exists there and perhaps take a trip.
S: I think a trip nowadays would be nice, but it would be a big no to going in the 40s.
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