Book Review | Book Chatter

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
By Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Pub. Date: May 05, 2009
ISBN-13: 9780385341004
304pp

Here’s the blurb from Barnes and Noble:

“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.”

My Thoughts:

I didn’t like this book. There, I said it.

I know! I must be the only one on the planet who didn’t. I’ve heard nothing but favorable things about it but I just don’t feel that it lived up to all the hype. For one, I didn’t like Juliet at all. Actually, that’s not entirely true because I liked her at first. I found her correspondence to be mildly humorous but as the book wore on, I tired very quickly of the written banter between her and basically anyone else.

At first I thought that the format of the novel is what was getting to me, but no.. it was Juliet. I didn’t mind reading correspondence from the other characters in the book and found all of the supporting characters to be quite charming. I enjoyed the premise.. the idea of creating this club as an alibi for breaking curfew. I felt that it was well written overall, I just didn’t like Juliet. She seemed one dimensional to me and although my feelings were not as harsh towards the end of the book, I just wasn’t in love with it like I thought I would be and I really, really wanted to love it.

I know there are a lot of you out there that loved this book but I had a hard time finding true reviews of it. I did find one from Booking Mama. Click here to read her review. If you have a review you’d like me to link to, please leave me a comment and I would be happy to include it.

The Spare Room by Helen Garner
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated
Pub. Date: February 2009
ISBN-13: 9780805088885
192pp

Here is the blurb from Barnes & Noble:

“A powerful, witty, and taut novel about a complex friendship between two women—one dying, the other called to care for her—from an internationally acclaimed and award-winning author
How much of ourselves must we give up to help a friend in need? Helen has little idea what lies ahead—and what strength she must muster—when she offers her spare room to an old friend, Nicola, who has arrived in the city for cancer treatment. Skeptical of the medical establishment, and placing all her faith in an alternative health center, Nicola is determined to find her own way to deal with her illness, regardless of the advice Helen offers.

In the weeks that follow, Nicola’s battle for survival will turn not only her own life upside down but also those of everyone around her. The Spare Room is a magical gem of a book—gripping, moving, and unexpectedly funny—that packs a huge punch, charting a friendship as it is tested by the threat of death.”

My Thoughts:

When I first received this book I thought that it might be a memoir. It reads like a memoir of sorts, but it is Garner’s fictional treatment of caring for her dying friend. That said, the story fell a little flat for me. As Garner sets-up the story, I anticipated a warm, welcoming reunion of two close friends. Yes, one of them is battling cancer and it would be a rather bittersweet reunion to say the least but if you haven’t seen the person for a long time, there would be some affection shared between the two, right? I didn’t feel the affection and warmth.

For one, Nicola is staying with Helen so she can be closer to the crack-pot treatment center that she has arranged to go to. Helen, who has more faith in western medicine has a hard time supporting her friend when she sees how these alternative treatments affect her. I do feel that Garner hit the nail on the head with this aspect of the book. I am all for alternative treatments, but the treatments that Nicola’s poor body endured just made me want to scream. Helen’s frustration was realistically written and closely matched my own level of frustration so I could totally relate to what Helen was feeling even though I have never been in her situation.

Overall, I feel that the relationship between Nicola and Helen could have been fleshed out a bit more. There weren’t a lot of fond memories being shared between the two and although Helen’s ability to provide the basics of food, water, and shelter is satisfying in its own right, I expected a bit more, well… love.

On a positive note, there is quite a bit to discuss here as far as alternative treatments and the medical profession as a whole. A book group would have a lot to talk about.

Thank you Picador USA for sending this book to me.

Chatting with friends about books and life…