Friday, 14 October 2011

Friday Recommends #4

It's Friday again, and that means it's time for another Friday Recommends! This week I have been looking through all my read books to find one that is really unique - something that others won't have found something similar to - and I think I've found the perfect one!
So here is this week's recommendation:


The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer
Waterstone's synopsis:

It's 1946 and author Juliet Ashton can't think what to write next. Out of the blue, she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey - by chance, he's acquired a book that once belonged to her - and, spurred on by their mutual love of reading, they begin a correspondence. When Dawsey reveals that he is a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, her curiosity is piqued and it's not long before she begins to hear from other members. As letters fly back and forth with stories of life in Guernsey under the German Occupation, Juliet soon realizes that the society is every bit as extraordinary as its name.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is an epistolary novel, which for those that don't know, is a novel written in letters. Although there are a few other novels written in this style, none of them have touched me quite like this one has. It's set shortly after the end of the Second World War, and the end of the German occupation of Guernsey, which is something that I hadn't previously considered. The story is funny, touching, gripping and compelling - I didn't want the book to end. This novel is a short one, but an incredibly powerful one, and I really recommend it to anyone, but especially those with an interest in History.

Please do let me know what you think in the comments.

15 comments:

Chocolate Chunky Munkie said...

Yes this was a good book!!

Jen x

Julie73 said...

I really enjoyed this one x

Randi said...

I loved this book! I enjoy the epistolary style, so I'm surprised it took me so long to come across this one, but I'm very glad I did. :)

Sara said...

Wasn't this the best book? I loved it!!!

IdentitySeeker said...

This ha been on my to-read list since forever and, despite all the raving review I've read, I strangely haven't picked up a copy yet. I hope to, though- very soon!:)

Sara Kovach said...

I read this book either last year or the year before. I really, really enjoyed this book - so light hearted! I like books written in letters or as diaries. I think it helps me keep the flow of the book.

franchie15 said...

I have this book sitting in my room. But I haven't got to read it. Now, I'm definitely going to read it! I've read some books with the same style. Some touched me. But I hope this'll be better. :)

Sophia Rose said...

I loved this book too. I wish the author had lived to see her book publish because. I loved her characters and their stories.

Thanks for sharing your review!

LongLetterSnailMail said...

I actually own this book and even though I havent read it, I regret not doing so already. Your review is fantastic and reminds me to go find my book and read it. We have a lot of books in common.

Mirjam said...

I loved this book! I was surprised how real and appealing the characters felt considering that it is an epistolary novel.

Denise Z said...

I have never read a novel in this format before and am intrigued and not sure how I will feel about something so different for me ;) I just had to stop here, however, I had to stop in because the title grabbed me and said come here and see about me. Thank you for sharing.

Inky said...

I love this book! So great! Glad you liked it!

Mrs Bee said...

I loved this book, love the style of writing too. Led me to read a couple of memoirs covering the same period. Thanks for sharing your review.

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Thanks for reminding me why I wanted to read this. Need to dig it out.

Enbrethiliel said...

+JMJ+

It sounds wonderful! I just wish you had gone into a bit more detail about why this novel was so touching and powerful for you.

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