The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 9780385341004 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 9780385341004 Global Overview for this book
Registered by 
KarenBC
of Prince George, British Columbia Canada on 1/31/2010
This book is in a Controlled Release!
KarenBC of Prince George, British Columbia Canada on 1/31/2010 This book is in a Controlled Release!
21 journalers for this copy...
January 1946: Write Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger, a founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. And so begins a remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This book is soon heading off to the winner of the Chocolate, Tea & a Book Sweepstakes. Congratulations!
This book is soon heading off to the winner of the Chocolate, Tea & a Book Sweepstakes. Congratulations!
Thank you KarenBC for the books, tea and chocolate!!! I appreciate you sending me a book from my wishlist.
Wow, all I can say is W-O-W!! I really enjoyed reading the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I just finished reading this novel 10 minutes ago and couldn't wait to make a journal entry about it. I loved the story, the characters, and the way in which it was written as a series of letters from the various characters in the novel. It was difficult to want to do anything but read this novel and so it made for a quick read!!
Thank you for sharing this novel with me KarenBC!! I'll release this book after the readalong I've begun is over with....
I've also started an international bookray for this novel:
1) teegers
2) lisa1301
3) Tsjara
4) zimort
5) Nakipa
6) JemmaJ
7) vassilka
Thank you for sharing this novel with me KarenBC!! I'll release this book after the readalong I've begun is over with....
I've also started an international bookray for this novel:
1) teegers
2) lisa1301
3) Tsjara
4) zimort
5) Nakipa
6) JemmaJ
7) vassilka
Sending this wonderful book off to the UK!! It's traveling as part of an international bookray!! Let's keep it traveling so that it may be read by several readers around the world!
Arrived in the post this morning. I'm just finishing up another book at the moment but I will get on to this one very soon.
Thanks for offering this book as a bookring, I've wanted to read it for ages.
Thanks for offering this book as a bookring, I've wanted to read it for ages.
I haven't even finished reading this but already enamored enough to want to make a review. I have to say that it's an absolutely lovely read, the characters are so interesting and its fun to tease them out through letters, when Sidney wrote Juliet that he'd told Isola that he was a 'homosexual' and won't be marrying Juliet and she didn't bat an eyelash and then the bit with the Oscar Wilde letters. It's just so fun and engrossing, and the stories are heartbreaking and beautiful but show a sense of pride and resourcefulness and humanness about the occupation which is both haunting and heartening.
I foresee myself being done very soon so I have already messaged lisa1301 for her address so it can be in the post as soon as I'm done.
I foresee myself being done very soon so I have already messaged lisa1301 for her address so it can be in the post as soon as I'm done.
Put in the post to the next reader. Happy Reading.
Journal Entry 9 by lisa1301 at Desborough, Northamptonshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 23, 2011
Arrived this morning. I'm just finishing reading another book, then I'll make a start on it, before sending it on it's way again, as part of the bookray.
Journal Entry 10 by lisa1301 at Desborough, Northamptonshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 30, 2011
Started this on the 30th April and finished it the next day. It is the most delightful book I have ever read, and transported me to the beautiful Guernsey. I loved it and thank you for the opportunity of allowing me to read it.
I will contact the next person in the ray to forward it on.
I will contact the next person in the ray to forward it on.
Arrived here safely yesterday. Thanks for sending it so quickly Lisa! And for your lovely card too :) The book looks great, and I have heard a lot of good things about it.. looking forward to read it. Thanks for sharing FeistyPom2Love!
I finished reading this yesterday and really enjoyed it. I like the way it is written (perhaps because it's done through letters?), very lively and it reads very easily. Though at first I did have a bit of trouble keeping the characters apart who all wrote to Juliet (from Guernsey). Some bits were very sad, but I often had to smile too (or laugh out loud). Isola is my favorite, she's just hilarious, with the headbumps and Miss Marple..
The only thing was the ending, which felt a bit sudden...
Oh, and seems I'm not the only one who thinks chickens are a bit creepy :p - they drink blood!
A bit from the letter from Isola to Juliet, who told her about the essay she had written on her fear of chickens:
"I'd like to read it too, chickens being the reason I fell off the hen-house roof - they'd chased me there. How they all came at me - with their razor lips and back-to-back eyeballs! People don't know how chickens can turn on you, but they can - like mad dogs. I didn't keep hens until the war came - then I had to, but I'm never easy in their company. I would rather have Ariel [the goat] butt me on my bottom - that's open and honest and not like a sly chicken, sneaking up to jab you."
Mailing it to zimort after the weekend.
The only thing was the ending, which felt a bit sudden...
Oh, and seems I'm not the only one who thinks chickens are a bit creepy :p - they drink blood!
A bit from the letter from Isola to Juliet, who told her about the essay she had written on her fear of chickens:
"I'd like to read it too, chickens being the reason I fell off the hen-house roof - they'd chased me there. How they all came at me - with their razor lips and back-to-back eyeballs! People don't know how chickens can turn on you, but they can - like mad dogs. I didn't keep hens until the war came - then I had to, but I'm never easy in their company. I would rather have Ariel [the goat] butt me on my bottom - that's open and honest and not like a sly chicken, sneaking up to jab you."
Mailing it to zimort after the weekend.
Released 12 yrs ago (6/15/2011 UTC) at Assendelft, Noord-Holland Netherlands
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Travelling to zimort in Norway now :)
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
Thank you. It came in the mail today. Will start reading right now.
This was a nice story to read. I'll contact the next on the list.
I have been to the post-office earlier today and mailed this to Portugal.
It was quick this one. Looking forward to reading this one, as soon as I possibly can. :P Thanks for sending it to me
This book is a nice reading about not so nice subjets. It's impressive the way these two writers were able to write about such serious subjects as WWII was in a way that it was not hard to read about (most of the time). I'm glad I read this one. :D
Released 12 yrs ago (8/12/2011 UTC) at Towcester, Northamptonshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Forwarding this book to JemmaJ as part of a bookray. Thank you again FeistyPom2Love for sharing this one with me. :D
Journal Entry 20 by JemmaJ at Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, August 25, 2011
The book arrived this morning; it looks fun as I like reading books that are set as letters.
Journal Entry 21 by JemmaJ at Towcester, Northamptonshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Sadly I have not finished this book but vassilka is very keen to read it! I have PM'ed today for address and I am waiting for a reply! I was in Cyprus last week; if only I had the address before!
Received it this morning. Thank you so much JemmaJ! Since I'm the last one in this bookray, I'll start reading it a little bit later because during this week I've already received two more books which soon have to continue their journey.
I just finished the book. At first I couldn't tell if I liked or not the fact that the story was written in letters. I got used to it and I even started enjoying it. I loved the humor and the characters as well as the stories of each person involved in them. I have to confess that I knew nothing about Guernsey so it was very interesting to learn what happened there during the war. Sending the children to England must have been extremely hard, I don't even want to think how the parents had felt! I loved Isola, Kit, Elizabeth, Dawsey. I'm sure everyone of us would love to be a part of their Society!
As I'm the last in this bookray, I pmed FeistyPom2Love and asked her about the book's "fate". Maybe I'll start another bookray....
As I'm the last in this bookray, I pmed FeistyPom2Love and asked her about the book's "fate". Maybe I'll start another bookray....
This is a new international ray for the book.Here is the list according to the shipping preferences:
1.biisbw (USA)----------> US shipping
2.angelface46 (USA)----------->INT shipping
3.Simson-Shilitoe(FRANCE)---------->EU/INT shipping
4.Stoepbrak(SOUTH AFRICA)----->INT shipping
5.Izikhava(SOUTH AFRICA)-------->INT shipping
6.Skokgitt(NEW ZEALAND)----->NZ/INT
7.JemmaJ(UK)------------->UK/EU shipping<------skipped (as she didn't answer the pms)
8.kiyoitsukikage(UK)-------->UK/EU
9.greenbadger(UK)--------->EU/INT shipping
10.Miss_Sunshine(EGYPT)--------->INT shipping<------ THE BOOK IS HERE
1.biisbw (USA)----------> US shipping
2.angelface46 (USA)----------->INT shipping
3.Simson-Shilitoe(FRANCE)---------->EU/INT shipping
4.Stoepbrak(SOUTH AFRICA)----->INT shipping
5.Izikhava(SOUTH AFRICA)-------->INT shipping
6.Skokgitt(NEW ZEALAND)----->NZ/INT
7.JemmaJ(UK)------------->UK/EU shipping<------skipped (as she didn't answer the pms)
8.kiyoitsukikage(UK)-------->UK/EU
9.greenbadger(UK)--------->EU/INT shipping
10.Miss_Sunshine(EGYPT)--------->INT shipping<------ THE BOOK IS HERE
Off to biisbw (USA). Enjoy the book and have a Happy Christmas!
Arrived sometime over the Christmas weekend, along with a couple other bookray books. So, looks like I have some reading to do! I will prioritize those books with other participants signed up so this one should be towards the top of the pile. I'll get this read and moving on just as quickly as I can.
Oh my! I didn't realize I'd had this one so long. My apologizes to everyone. Time to get this moving again. Luckily I just finished and have the next readers address alreaday.
I really liked this book. I know some others were a little unsure of the book written in letters format but I really loved it. I loved all the characters and couldn't have imagined a better ending.
I really liked this book. I know some others were a little unsure of the book written in letters format but I really loved it. I loved all the characters and couldn't have imagined a better ending.
Off to the next reader of the ray. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Just got here. Will post more once I read it.
Just finishing it up. Will PM next person for address. Hope to mail out Friday or Monday.
Okay book but I found myself lost in spots. Good read though :)
Okay book but I found myself lost in spots. Good read though :)
Just finishing it up. Will PM next person for address. Hope to mail out Friday or Monday.
Okay book but I found myself lost in spots. Good read though :)
Okay book but I found myself lost in spots. Good read though :)
Journal Entry 32 by Simson-Shilitoe at Neewiller-près-Lauterbourg, Alsace France on Saturday, April 21, 2012
The book arrived safe and sound in today`s mail.
Thank you very much, vassilka, for including me in this bookring.
And thank you very much, angelface46, for posting.
I am participating for a second time in a "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"-bookring because it is a very well-written book. I have already read this book in July 2010.
Thank you very much, vassilka, for including me in this bookring.
And thank you very much, angelface46, for posting.
I am participating for a second time in a "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"-bookring because it is a very well-written book. I have already read this book in July 2010.
Journal Entry 33 by Simson-Shilitoe at Neewiller-près-Lauterbourg, Alsace France on Sunday, May 20, 2012
I finished reading this a few days ago, but just now had the chance to make my JE.It's a really strong and fantastic little book. Thanks a lot for sharing.
The uploaded journal picture shows a sunrise at Guernsey.
Shaffer's debut novel, written with her niece Barrow, is an original account of one writer's relationship with a member of a unique book club formed as an alibi to protect its members from arrest at the hands of the Nazis during WWII. With a small cast of gifted narrators including Paul Boehmer, Susan Duerdan, John Lee, Rosalyn Landor and the enjoyable Juliet Mills, this production is first-class from top to bottom. The narrators' British dialects, each quite regional and equally as different as they are ear-pleasing, serve the story well and allow Shaffer's words to leap from the page into the hearts and minds of her readers. The final result is an almost theatrical experience with a plethora of enthusiastic performances.
Now travelling to South Africa. Happy journey and happy reading!
The book arrived safely. What a great feeling it remains to open the post box and find a parcel with some interesting stamps on it! Some things never change.Thanks for registering the book, KarenBC, for hosting the ray, vassilka, and for sending the book, Simson-Shilitoe! Thanks for the lovely postcard as well. It looks like the ideal setting to while the time away with a good book.
I'm looking forward to reading the book, which should be fairly soon.
What a delightful book! A page-turner that sucks one right in.
It reminded me a lot of 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. Same era, same style, same charm, same witty correspondence. I can just imagine what an exchange of letters between her and Juliet Ashton, the protagonist of this book, would have been like!
Some aspects were weaker than others and a measure of predictability crept in towards the end, but the stronger parts made up for it to such an extent that the book ended up an 8 for me.
Excerpt (though not indicative of the tone of the novel):
I, too, have felt that the war goes on and on. When my son, Ian, died at El Alamein – side by side with Eli's father, John – visitors offering their condolences, thinking to comfort me, said "Life goes on." What nonsence, I thought, of course it doesn't. It's death that goes on; Ian is dead now and will be dead tomorrow and next year and forever. There's no end to that. But perhaps there will be an end to the sorrow of it. Sorrow has rushed over the world like the waters of the Deluge, and it will take time to recede. But already, there are small islands of – hope? Happiness? Something like them, at any rate.
It reminded me a lot of 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. Same era, same style, same charm, same witty correspondence. I can just imagine what an exchange of letters between her and Juliet Ashton, the protagonist of this book, would have been like!
Some aspects were weaker than others and a measure of predictability crept in towards the end, but the stronger parts made up for it to such an extent that the book ended up an 8 for me.
Excerpt (though not indicative of the tone of the novel):
I, too, have felt that the war goes on and on. When my son, Ian, died at El Alamein – side by side with Eli's father, John – visitors offering their condolences, thinking to comfort me, said "Life goes on." What nonsence, I thought, of course it doesn't. It's death that goes on; Ian is dead now and will be dead tomorrow and next year and forever. There's no end to that. But perhaps there will be an end to the sorrow of it. Sorrow has rushed over the world like the waters of the Deluge, and it will take time to recede. But already, there are small islands of – hope? Happiness? Something like them, at any rate.
Released 11 yrs ago (6/19/2012 UTC) at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Passed on to Izikhova.
Received the book from Stoepbrak and started reading - amazing.....
What an experience; to share loss, pain, joy and dreams between the covers of a book is what it's about. I would have loved to be able to arrive at the island by boat, meet them all and walk to the cliffs .... like they did - or could have done. Highly recommended to make it part of your wishlist, if it isn't.
The book will be off to Skokgitt (New Zealand) later today.
The book will be off to Skokgitt (New Zealand) later today.
Released 11 yrs ago (7/23/2012 UTC) at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
To be on its way later today, enjoy!
This book has safely arrived in New Zealand, I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you Stoepbrak and Izikhova for posting it to me. And thank you Vassilka for making this into another bookring,
I really enjoyed this book, I could not put it down, I loved the format and all the characters and didn't want the story to end.
Have not been able to get a response from JemmaJ so on the advice of Vassilka I have contacted the next person on the list. I have their address and the book will be on its way very shortly.
Journal Entry 44 by kiyoitsukikage at Brixton, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Sorry, I was convinced I already journalled the book. It arrived a while ago, I'm halfway through and enjoying it a lot!! Thank you!
Journal Entry 45 by 
greenbadger
at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
This book ray is with me, thank you! :)
Gently humourous story with delightful characters told in the form of letters about a writer looking for new material in the aftermath of WWII. When she gets a letter from a stranger in Guernsey she ends up corresponding with a group of people there, and eventually visits and is drawn into learning more about the German occupation of the island. I knew nothing about the wartime history of Guernsey and the Todt workers before reading this and I suspect that as for the heroine, one of the motivations of the author was to inform the reader about what went on.
Gently humourous story with delightful characters told in the form of letters about a writer looking for new material in the aftermath of WWII. When she gets a letter from a stranger in Guernsey she ends up corresponding with a group of people there, and eventually visits and is drawn into learning more about the German occupation of the island. I knew nothing about the wartime history of Guernsey and the Todt workers before reading this and I suspect that as for the heroine, one of the motivations of the author was to inform the reader about what went on.
Journal Entry 46 by greenbadger at Kings Langley, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Monday, October 29, 2012
greenbadger at Kings Langley, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Monday, October 29, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (10/30/2012 UTC) at Kings Langley, Hertfordshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent on to Miss_Sunshine who is next in the ray. Enjoy the book! :)
Journal Entry 47 by Miss_Sunshine at Sharm el Sheikh, Red Sea Governorate Egypt on Monday, November 12, 2012
Received today in Sharm el Sheikh thank you Greenbadger!!! Looking forward to getting started on this one.
Journal Entry 48 by Miss_Sunshine at Sharm el Sheikh, Red Sea Governorate Egypt on Wednesday, August 21, 2013
What a book! I read the whole thing in one sitting! Ive read a lot about the war but none about Guernsey. I found it so interesting and loved that my home town Colchester got a mention! The authors really did a good job writing this book. Such a cute read.
This book is reserved for the winner of A Book A Month - August 2013 draw which will take place on the 31st August.
This book is reserved for the winner of A Book A Month - August 2013 draw which will take place on the 31st August.
Journal Entry 49 by Miss_Sunshine at Sharm el Sheikh, Red Sea Governorate Egypt on Monday, October 7, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (10/7/2013 UTC) at Sharm el Sheikh, Red Sea Governorate Egypt
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sorry Sarah - life got in the way and id forgotten all about posting this book off. Luckily i found it when looking for something else and it was a real oh crap moment haha
Hope your enjoy it as much as i did!
Happy reading :)
Hope your enjoy it as much as i did!
Happy reading :)
Journal Entry 50 by sarahmangan at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 10, 2013
Don't worry about it! I've got lots of reading to keep me busy :). This was a lovely surprise to find on my door mat this evening - it looks like a brilliant book! I love getting a book that has had so many previous readers. I just love reading all the comments. Hopefully I'll read it in the next few months and keep it travelling! Thanks again for sending it to me.
Journal Entry 51 by sarahmangan at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 29, 2015
So glad I finally got round to this book! It was excellent!
I didn't know a lot about Guernsey's war experiences beforehand and it was fascinating but so sad. The bit about the Todt workers was so shocking.
I loved the characters - so quirky and quaint - Kit and Isola were real favourites.
I'm planning to send this on shortly as a HGG gift. :)
I didn't know a lot about Guernsey's war experiences beforehand and it was fascinating but so sad. The bit about the Todt workers was so shocking.
I loved the characters - so quirky and quaint - Kit and Isola were real favourites.
I'm planning to send this on shortly as a HGG gift. :)
Journal Entry 52 by sarahmangan at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Friday, October 16, 2015
Released 8 yrs ago (10/16/2015 UTC) at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posted on as part of an HGG gift. I hope you enjoy it! :)
Aahh :-) Received today from sarahmangan in a HGG package. Thank you so much for granting my wish! Cant wait to read it!
Journal Entry 54 by BeckyLizz at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Released 7 yrs ago (5/31/2016 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Whoooooooosh!! Off it goes to its next destination. Where will it end up?
Sent to pinkoeria in a surprise book parcel.
************************************************************************************************************
Congratulations, you have picked up a travelling book!
If you have a moment, we'd love you to let us know you have the book as we're keen to follow its journey. You can even post a review when you've read it before passing it on to the next lucky person.
Happy reading!
Not sure what to do? Follow these steps!
1) You may continue as an Anonymous Finder. Or, Register as a member (it's FREE!), then you too will receive future journal entries on this book and track its journey around the world!
2) Make a journal entry on this book to let us know how you found it!
3) If you choose to read the book, please make another journal entry when you finish it to let us know what you thought!
4) Ready to pass the book on? Click on "make release notes" to let us know where it's going! Leave the book in a public place or give it to a friend!
Sent to pinkoeria in a surprise book parcel.
************************************************************************************************************
Congratulations, you have picked up a travelling book!
If you have a moment, we'd love you to let us know you have the book as we're keen to follow its journey. You can even post a review when you've read it before passing it on to the next lucky person.
Happy reading!
Not sure what to do? Follow these steps!
1) You may continue as an Anonymous Finder. Or, Register as a member (it's FREE!), then you too will receive future journal entries on this book and track its journey around the world!
2) Make a journal entry on this book to let us know how you found it!
3) If you choose to read the book, please make another journal entry when you finish it to let us know what you thought!
4) Ready to pass the book on? Click on "make release notes" to let us know where it's going! Leave the book in a public place or give it to a friend!
Received this book via my daughter pinkoeria. Thank you very much, BeckyLizz!
Wow, this book has been all over the world!
I've already read it (it's absolutely wonderful!), so I'll see that it finds a new home!
Wow, this book has been all over the world!
I've already read it (it's absolutely wonderful!), so I'll see that it finds a new home!
This wishlist book goes to ladyveg.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
