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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society cover art

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Written by: Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer, Susan Duerden, Rosalyn Landor, John Lee, Juliet Mills
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Publisher's Summary

Number-one New York Times Best Seller

Now a Netflix Film

A remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German Occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name.

“Treat yourself to this book, please - I can’t recommend it highly enough.” (Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love)

“I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.” 

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow 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 correspondent 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 curfew by the Germans occupying their island - boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast 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. 

Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

Praise for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

“A jewel... Poignant and keenly observed, Guernsey is a small masterpiece about love, war, and the immeasurable sustenance to be found in good books and good friends.” (People)

“A book-lover’s delight, an implicit and sometimes explicit paean to all things literary.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

“A sparkling epistolary novel radiating wit, lightly worn erudition and written with great assurance and aplomb.” (The Sunday Times [London]) 

“Cooked perfectly à point: subtle and elegant in flavour, yet emotionally satisfying to the finish.” (The Times [London])

©2008 Marry Ann Shaffrer and Annie Barrows (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

What listeners say about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, awful accents

The "american" accent and "cockney" accent are so badly done it's cringeworthy. It is a really good story, it's a shame that they couldn't find actors who are better at accents.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I love this story!!!!

This has got to be one of my favourite books! It gives honest information of the victims of ww2 in such a way that it doesn’t sugar coat it but you also know your not hearing the absolute worse. But the whole story is a feel good, relatable love story that doesn’t leave you traumatized by the information that your receiving.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Pleasant story…

And well read by different readers for the various letters writers. Enjoyable - great way to spend a snowy Sunday afternoon.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

Loved the story. Loved the format. Loved that narrators. A well told love story. Highly recommend

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Delightful!

I thought the readers were superb, the writing poignant and humorous, and the whole production well executed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

love love love!

loved it! Easy listening, great readers! heart warming. didn't find any of the readers irritating even though it was a large cast.

strongly recommend

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good beginning

I loved the beginning but felt that with all the letters being written back and forth I lost interest.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful

this is one of my favorite books!! The performances are amazing. I highly recommend.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Unsure, at first

The first half had me wondering if I was going to be disappointed in the book. I loved the movie and was anticipating on falling even more in love with the characters. However, the insistence on maintaining the letter format felt gratuitous, at times, and it sometimes felt jarring and pulled me out of the narrative. Enter the second half; the feeling completely changed, and I was wholly drawn in. This might have partly been due to the letters becoming more descriptive and less abrupt. On the whole, I found the book charming, the storyline compelling, and would recommend it to others.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

excellent storyline, format in letter form

I love the storyline, and format written in letters. excellent descriptive wording, and great narration! made me feel like the Guernsey folks were my family.

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