A review by chrissie_whitley
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Random House Reader's Circle Deluxe Reading Group Edition): A Novel by Annie Barrows, Mary Ann Shaffer, Mary Ann Shaffer

5.0

Another book deserving of all the hype and accolades. I could see myself rereading this one. Honestly, I could see myself moving to the Channel Islands, specifically Guernsey, at some point. Or, at least visit. If there's ever a mark of a good book, it must be that I was not only completely invested in the characters, but I utterly fell in love with the setting.

Epistolary novels can be tricky mistresses. What can seem interesting and fresh, can quickly become vexing and downright boring. But this was flat-out delightful. I loved it as much as [b:84, Charing Cross Road|368916|84, Charing Cross Road|Helene Hanff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1287338794s/368916.jpg|938626].

The charm and humor throughout kept this from ever becoming boring, monotonous, or repetitive. The setting was fantastic and alive. But ultimately, this is a story about the people, and here is where Schaffer shined. Despite the limitations with epistolary narratives, Schaffer has managed such a depth for her characters here—each and every person coming into the story is filled to the brim with life. I was wholly invested the entire time.

Just when you think you know your fill of WWII events, another novel shines a light on a different aspect. That's one of the blessings of Historical Fiction. You can learn so much—things you weren't even aware of not knowing. I had no idea about the Channel Islands really, just some vague knowledge that islands existed in that spot. My true lack of knowledge came into the Islands' history and occupation during WWII. I just had no idea, and I loved learning about this sidearm of the Nazi occupation.

One of those easily recommendable books, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is as perfectly charming as you're made to believe. I think I need to buy a copy for myself.

Sidenote: I wish Mary Ann Shaffer had been alive to see the success of a novel that is so clearly a piece of her heart and soul.