The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A novel.
Random House. 2008.
ISBN: 9780385340991
$22.00. Hardcover. 288 pages.
Readers Annotation
It’s 1946 and Juliet Ashton, a writer, is looking for sunny subjects to report. She never expects to find the stories on the Isle of Guernsey.
Plot Summary
This epistolary novel begins in 1946 just as London is emerging from the Second World War. Writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams, a farmer on Guernsey Island. Adams had come across her name in a book he purchased written by Charles Lamb. Juliet and Dawsey continue to exchange letters, and she comes to intimately know the people who inhabit his world. She discovers that the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was created as an alibi when the Germans occupied the island. As Juliet’s correspondence continues with the members of the society, she learns about their home, the books they enjoy, and the impact of the German occupation. Juliet is so captivated by their stories that she sets out to join her new friends. She wants to investigate the mysterious disappearance of an island resident, Elizabeth in a German prison camp. The letter format might be a novelty for young adults who text message all day long, but it is a great way to see the (mostly) beautiful communication of the past, when life allowed us time to put a pen to paper.
Critical Evaluation
Many critics noted the similarity between this novel and the works of Jane Austen. I never noticed any similarity between the two, although Austen is often mentioned among other writers in the novel. This novelty of this book is in the letters themselves. Shaffer is excellent at finding the voice of each of her characters. The novel is truly like reading personal mail from the past. The characters are beguiling and readers will have sympathy for their plight during the occupation. The only part I did not care for was the subplot about Elizabeth and her daughter Kit. After Elizabeth is taken away to a concentration camp, the people on the island raise her daughter Kit. It is heartrendingly sad in such a joyous novel of renewal. I would recommend this book to any young adult who wants to read a good novel in a unique format.
Information about the author
Mary Ann Shaffer (1934-2008) was inspired to write this novel after a visit to England in 1976. As she finished the novel her health began to decline and her niece, Annie Barrows completed the writing process. This is Shaffer’s only novel. Annie Barrows is the author of the Ivy & Bean series for children. You can find out more about Shaffer at http://www.bookbrowse.com/biographies/index.cfm?author_number=1586. You can find out more about Annie Barrows at http://www.anniebarrows.com/
Genre
Historic fiction
Curriculum ties
English, history and social studies: WWII, letter writing.
Challenge Issues
None
Challenge defense ideas
There are no apparent challenge issues associated with this book. In the case that a challenge comes up, there are some things that you can do to start. You could read the book and become familiar with the content. Refer to the library collection development policy, and get reviews from reputable sources and teens that have read the book. You can find out more about this book on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Guernsey-Literary-Potato-Peel-Society/dp/B002WTC8RA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260164060&sr=1-1
Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss the format of the book (letters vs. straight narrative fiction)
2. Discuss the occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII
Reading Level/Age
Adult crossover
Why I included this title
I consider it one of the best books of 2008.
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