Saturday, December 19, 2009

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

Like Kristen, I devoured this book fairly quickly. And like Kristen, I'm not inclined to tell you much of the story because I think that kind of ruins it. I will tell you this much. The novel begins in post-war England in1946 (no I didn't remember that, I looked it up), and flashes back to the time that Guernsey was under German occupation during World War II.

As Kristen mentioned, the story is told through a series of letters between several different characters, which I find an utterly charming way to tell a story. Sadly, with such a terrible memory as mine, I have trouble remembering the details of the novel, but I do remember this: I laughed, I cried, and I cheered. And I was so sad when the letters ended. To me, that's evidence of a great book.

Not too heavy, this book makes for a great vacation read. Want to know more about the story, or interested in reading it as part of your book club? Definitely visit the book's site, which contains some delightful information, including a recipe for Potato Peel Pie.

Tell me readers, what's your criteria for deeming a book a great read? And do you have any recommendations for us?

xoxo,
Allegra

2 comments:

  1. My definition of a great book is when I'm sad that it's over. I love a great story teller that engages you with the characters..they become almost real to you. Some of my favorite recent reads were both books that Kate Morton has out at the moment: The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden. Both had characters that you could connect with, and both twisted and turned until the very last page.

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  2. This is actually the best book I've read in a while. I love when there's smart humor in a good story, ala Jane Austen. Other writers I often come back to again and again - Barbara Kingsolver (check out The Bean Trees) and Rosamunde Pilcher (I'd recommend The Shell Seekers and September).

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