Remember how I wrote that I needed to read some fiction? This week I read the perfect book to help me relax and have fun: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. This book was charming, witty, fun, very interesting, and a easy read. The story is a compilation of letters (similar to Daddy Long Legs) that are sent between a writer and a group of people who live on Guernsey (one of the Channel Islands). The Guernsey people are writing down their recollections of when Guernsey was occupied by the Nazis during WWII. These islanders formed a literary society during that time. One of my favorite things about this book is how the islanders make comparisons between their lives during the Occupation and great works of literature. That's one of the things I love about literature and art: they possess a timeless quality that can impact people over many centuries.
Any reader can tell that Mary Ann Shaffer loves books and bookstores. Her text is peppered with little opinions about books, and I agree with many of them. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"It was amazing to me then, and still is, that so many people who wander into bookshops don't really know what they are after - they only want to look around and hope to see a book that will strike their fancy."
"Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones."
"I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers."
Has anyone else read this book? What did you think? I would recommend this book to everyone. It was just what I needed to pull me out of my nonfiction rut.
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10 comments:
LOVED this book! First of all, I didn't know anything about the WWII history of that island, so that aspect was interesting to learn about. And of course, it was just a fun story with down-to-earth, unique, small-town characters. Good ending too. :)
Yes, I also loved this book. I read it a few months ago. It was easy to pick up and put down (because of the letter-after-letter format.) Light reading, and I enjoyed hearing about WWII from the British POST-war perspective.
I really enjoyed this book as well. It was a very fun read. Have you read The Book Thief? It is amazing.
LOVED it! I am glad you read it. I thought it was a hoot.
Alicia, I didn't know that you read my blog! Hooray! I want to read "The Book Thief." I read the first paragraph while I was at my in-law's house, and I hope to pick it up again soon.
(I also looked at your adoption blog, too! I'll make sure to keep visiting your site.)
And rachsticle, I totally read this book because of your high recommendation. My book club decided to read it for this month's pick (two other ladies also suggested that we read it), and I'm excited to discuss it.
M! I am a friend of Vivian's and read your blog from time to time. I absolutely love this book! Our book group even considered entering the contest to go to Guernsey. This book brought back so many memories from the mission. I met a few people who were sent away from their families as young children. Great book, I loved reading it.
We both loved the book and we're glad you enjoyed it, too.
You can borrow The Book Thief when I'm done with it. We're reading it for October's book group discussion.
You've completely sold me - off to buy a copy today!
Thanks for your comment, Lindsay! Yeah, I think that Vivian also would like this book because of her mission. I thought a lot about Alex while I read the book - I wonder how Jersey was affected by the occupation.
I bet it was really interesting for you to meet people who were sent away from their families.
And Ant Bee - I think you'll like the book! It's not Jane Austen, but one of the main characters is named Dawsey (which perhaps sounds like "Darcy" with an exaggerated English accent?). ;)
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