THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY

Mary Ann Shaffer

How does a roast pig dinner suddenly become a literary society? A clue – the German Occupation of Guernsey. Is potato peel pie a joke? Certainly not – it is a reminder of the hardships endured by the Islanders.

In 1946 a mutual love of the writer Charles Lamb sparks the correspondence between a Guernsey farmer and Juliet, a London author. Soon other members of this extraordinary book group are also writing to her about their literary tastes and their experiences. Later, when Juliet visits Guernsey to continue research for her new book, she sends friends at home a lively commentary on life on the island.

The letters are fascinating – funny, tragic, uplifting – fine evidence of the strong bonds of love and friendship forged in war time . . . and afterwards. This book is a gem.