The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The other day I posted my review of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and as I mentioned in my review, I didn’t care for it too much. Although it was not an official pick for the book group that I belong to, many of us wanted to read it and so we met tonight to discuss it.

Of the members that came for the discussion, I would have to say that most were very pleased with the book. They found it to be a charming, pleasant read and they found the format to be very readable. Some agreed somewhat with my take on Juliet but they all agreed that the story pulled them in. However, there was one member who didn’t like the book at all but she didn’t come for the discussion so I have no idea why!

It is hard to be the only one who didn’t like it though. I ended up being “the hater” and really, my reaction to the book was not like that. It was just sort of …eh (insert shoulder shrug). Thanks to all that commented on the review. You all had such wonderful comments and I was so worried about getting slammed for not liking it.

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.