The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann ShafferMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A story of a moderately successful author Juliet Ashton who has been writing as a columnist and has had a collection of these columns turned into a book by her friend and publisher Sidney Stark.
The events of World War 2 have left Juliet without her London flat and now looking for an idea for a new writing project. Unexpectedly, she receives a letter from a Dawsey Adams on the island of Guernsey who discovers her name when reading a book by Charles Lamb, and who writes to Juliet to try and source more books for him to read as a member of his Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Of course, Juliet just must find out more about this uniquely named society of readers on the channel isle, and the book is presented a set of correspondence between Juliet, her friends and the residence of the little island, all of whom have their unique quirks and characteristics, which Juliet learns about whilst also learning more about War Time on the island.
She comes to realise that all of the characters she speaks to and later meets in Guernsey all have one person in common, Elizabeth Mckenna (currently missing), whom Juliet decides to base her new book on as she continues to learn more stories about everybody's activities during the war.
Whilst this goes on, there are also some social dilemmas Juliet has to face, including some love interests and her increasing dedication to Elizabeth's child left currently in the care of all the societies members. Juliet makes some life decisions, and despite a bumpy ride the book reachers a really satisfying conclusion.
It's extremely feel good, and the mix of letters, telegrams and a few journal entries at the end are a nice way to tell the story, maintaining a pace and keeping it extremely easy to read.
The stories of war are saddening and can even be quite dark, the but the descriptions of the characters and of the island are really smile inducing, making for some real contrasts and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the society, Juliet and the drama of their lives throughout this short book.
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