Discussion: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

tui · Discussion: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

I found this book an absolute delight from the first few pages. I love the way the story and characters are revealed in snippets with throw away lines compelling us to keep reading to find out more. There are so many zany characters as well. They had me in stitches. Having the story told through different characters words in their letters adds to the interest and charm of the book.

The references to books and reading also resonate with me.
page 10 "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 reader."
I love that idea and is maybe the reason I love second hand bookshops so much as there is such a random collection of books to look through.

The other quote I like from early in the book
page 11."That's what I love about reading:one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you onto another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It's geometrically progressive- all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment."
This book led me, via the internet, on to Guernsey, Charles Lamb and the NY Times Literary pages.

Any and all comments on this book welcome. Smile

magpie nic

I will come back and comment later when I have a bit more time!

mrsbean

I finished this a few weeks ago and have now started it again, I enjoyed it so much. The book is so sensitively written, and I really felt some affinity with the characters as they are so carefully described and their individuality portrayed.
The mixture of comedy and sadness in the book is carefully balanced - some of the subtle bits of humour are so cleverly conceived. I found myself identifying with the main character and felt she could have been me (or I could have been her!)
Overall - a really enjoyable read.

cofnchoc

At the beginning it made me think of here...communicating shared interests with people you don't know. I'll post again when I've more time. I want to read it again too - it was a lovely book.

magpie nic

I liked the fact that with each letter you found out a little bit more, and always wanted to know more, like peeling an onion. Elizabeth sounded like a great person so it made me sad to find out she was dead. I didn't hugely like the ending though, found it a bit too obvious but it did not take away from the story and I guess it was the natural way to end the story with loose ends tied up.
I'm still thinking of more- be back later!

Louiw

I loved this book and like many of you, I liked the way the clues led you to understanding more of the book as you went on. I loved the history of Guernsey and want to find out more about the German Invasion.
I found this book one of those awful enigmas - I enjoy it so much I keep reading and finish it quickly whilst at the same time, I want to relish every moment!!!
I found the ending predictable but as I'm an old softie at heart, I was quite pleased!!!
Thanks so much for the recommendation!

redredrobin

It was a lovely gentle book. It dealt with some awful stories but brought a human element to them. I too was struck by the similarity to this forum with people sharing interests. I loved the fact it was very much about a time and place that could not be repeated anywhere else. I've never really thought of WW2 from the channel islands' perspective - being occupied and cut off from the mainland, not knowing what was going on. Imagine not even being able to write to our evacuated children!
Yes, the ending was predictable but I'd have been disappointed if it hadn't happened!

Over40

I really enjoyed this book - as each letter was read, more unfolded which made it interesting especially information regarding Elizabeth.
I have been to Jersey and visited the underground hospital there but hadn't really appreciated what life was like under occupation.
Has anyone read '84 Charing Cross Road'? Again, a story through letters and like this one it made me feel very unread as it mentioned all sorts of literary greats I had heard of but not read, the same as Charles Lamb in this book.

cherryblossom

I really enjoyed the book and kept racing through to see what happened.... I actuyally went aah at the end....it was really touching

wotsitagain

I too loved the book and the gradual revelation of the characters. I was disappointed too that Elizabeth died. I really felt caught up in the action and thought it very well written in that I felt such a part of it.
I am interested in the craft of writing and was intrigued by the way it was written by 2 different people. I wondered which bits were written by the aunt and which by her niece.
My OH and I honeymooned on Guernsey back in 1985. I remember the huge floral display at the airport as they were celebrating 40 years since the end of the war. We visited a German hospital (I think) whilst there and saw a little of the German wartime influence, but it hadn't struck me until reading this book, just how hard it must have been for the Channel Islanders. I now appreciate more fully, the significance of the end of WW2 for them.
Yes, the ending was predictable, but I was surprised that she proposed. I like the way that that was recorded as well, not using the epistolary format of the rest of the book.
I may well be back to say more!

cherryblossom

I felt sad when i found out why it was by two people, what a shame she died.... but lovely how the book turned out...
I really wasn't sure what was going to happen with Dawsey . i though it was interesting that she proposed ... but it was in keeping with the character i thought. I was interested to see the name Isola , i used to teach a little girl with that name .

Louiw

I looked up the details of the authors, I found out that they were Aunt and Niece. http://www.guernseyliterary.com/authors.html
apparently the Aunt was stranded in Guernsey and many years later started writing the book. She became ill and her niece finished the book. I thought this was so sad! I wanted to read other books but she only ever wrote this one.

mrsbean

Just re-read Remy's letter about the demisw of ELizabeth in the concentration camp - a really moving account of it. I also thought the descriptions of war-ravaged Normandy when Dawsey goes to visit Remy were very poignant.

whoa there pickle

Still haven't read this so kept my eyes closed when scrolling down to post this message!

tui

no hurry WTP. Our discussion has been really relaxed. Enjoy it when you get time.

Louiw

it's one to be savioured really, no rush!!!

whoa there pickle

I managed to get about 20 pages in during the holiday but then put it down to read something else! Will get back to it asap!

NeKo

I loved it too. I'd been waiting since the Easter holidays to get hold of it but was 35th on the list... Finally arrived in time for these holidays. I was the same in not wanting to put it down (which is why I can't read during term time otherwise I'd never go to sleep) and wanting to take my time and read it slowly.
It was written so well. I liked the letter format (and the detective notes at the end) and after the sadness of Elizabeth dying I think I'm glad that it had a predictable happy ending. I also wanted to know more about Guernsey and about the other books. Tui, I agree totally with your 1st post on here. I love zany characters and the quotes made me tingle. I've passed it on to my mum and am recommending it to everyone I can think of.
Thank you for posting this. I'm off to read more posts to decide what to read next because this was perfect.