55 pages 1 hour read

Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Set shortly after WWII, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society follows London-based writer Juliet Ashton, who begins corresponding with Guernsey islander Dawsey Adams. Intrigued by Dawsey’s literary society, Juliet learns about the members' experiences during the German Occupation, visiting the island, uncovering its history, and forging deep connections, ultimately finding love. The novel includes depictions of the German Occupation and Nazi concentration camps, with references to sexual assault and exploitation.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is praised for its charming epistolary format and endearing characters, though some find the plot predictable. Its historical backdrop of post-WWII adds depth, but a few readers feel the story can be overly sentimental. Overall, it's an engaging and heartwarming read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society?

Readers who enjoy The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society appreciate historical fiction set in World War II, epistolary novels, and stories of resilience and camaraderie. Fans of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak will find similar emotional depth and historical insight in this novel.

RecommendedReading Age

14+years

Lexile Level

930L

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Romance

Period

WWII / World War II

Themes

Values/Ideas: Literature

Society: War

Relationships: Friendship

Topics

Military / War

History: World