A book review- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I can’t keep The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows to myself a moment longer.

My dear sister lent it to me. It was recommended to her by her high school English teacher this past school year.  She told her, “Can you recommend a good book where no one dies?” Her English teacher recommended this “charming” book where only a “minor” character dies. Charming it is, indeed, but I was slightly offended that the death in it was considered to be one of a minor character. She was major to me.

The book was not at all sugar-coated.

Almost entirely in the form of letters, this book features Juliet, who embarked on a small, but unforgettable adventure. In some ways, Juliet reminded me of me. But sometimes I wished if only I could be like her. And other times I was glad I wasn’t her. I did like her a lot, though. She was a writer.

Ever notice how each form of entertainment sometimes involves a main character of the occupation relating to that very form of entertainment. A book about a writer? Of course; The writer of the book is a writer. There are movies about actors and musicals about singers and dancers…perhaps somewhere in the world there is a radio show about a DJ.

I recommend this book to everyone. Or at least most people. It is intellectual and down-to-earth. I don’t want to give away too much, but there’s a love story in it, too. Takes place in the 1940’s in England, shortly after World War II. A lot of it has to do with the recovery of and memories from the war, but it’s much more than a simple memoir or historical script.

My sister described it as a book you don’t want to put down. It’s not an edge-of-your-seat, can’t put it down book. You can. But you don’t want to. It’s too well-written and you’re too in love with the characters to leave it.

I describe it as a multi-course meal. It’s rich, homey, soul-food. It’ll fill you up and satisfy you. Some parts may be bitter and that’s okay. Some parts are like drinking wine. And at the end, you get the most smooth, delicious dessert you’ve ever tasted and you leave the meal(book) on the sweetest note imaginable and you are fully satisfied. You certainly go home recommending that restaurant to your friends who weren’t able to dine there with you.

I don’t know much about writing book reviews, but this is mine.

Also, the author has a very similar name to mine.

This book is, in a word, charming. Sarah’s English teacher certainly knew what she was talking about. Read it NOW.


God bless