The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

You know how they say that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover? Well, it's also true that you shouldn't judge a book by its title. I'd heard nothing but good things about this book since it came out, and I knew it had made it on to many bestseller lists, but I just couldn't bring myself to read it (or even put it on my list of "books to read"). Why? I was intimidated by the title. It was just so long. What good would it do me to read a book that I couldn't even remember the title of to tell people what I was reading? And besides, if the author couldn't pare down the title of her book to something smaller than a mouthful, it seemed to me that the rest of the novel would be full of other lengthy and seemingly superfluous details and descriptions.

Well, although I don't like to say this very often, I was wrong. About as wrong as I've ever been about a book. I loved this book so much that it's now on my "will buy" list if I see it at a secondhand store because I would absolutely love to read it again. And again.

And honestly, I should have assumed that I would enjoy it--crazy title and all. After all, it is set during one of my favorite time periods to read about: WWII. And I know I say this about almost every WWII book I read, but the perspective of this book is a very unique one--and it is made even more so by the writing style. The book focuses on an island in the English Channel that was occupied by the Germans during the war, and subsequently cut off from all contact with the outside world. After the war and occupation are over, one of the islanders begins a correspondence with an author in London, and the entire book is written as a series of letters (and if you are worried that that would be confusing--as I was--don't be. It is wonderfully executed and easy to follow). There's bits that were humorous, bits that were sad, and even a little love story thrown in for good measure.

If I haven't sold you on this book yet, here is most telling bit of truth about how good this book is: the (fictional) author in London who is corresponding with the (fictional) residents of Guernsey decides that she would like to write an (fictional) article and then (fictional) book about their (fictional) story. On more than one occasion I found myself wanting to know what the name of that book was going to be so that I could read it next. That's how believable the characters are and how well written the novel is. And sadly, the author died before final publication of this book happened, so it's impossible highly unlikely that she will write any sort of follow-up novel. All the more reason to go out and read this one!