The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society had been on my wish list for a while, so when I saw Sandy from You’ve Gotta Read This! raving about the audio book version, I decided to buy a copy. Unfortunately I didn’t realise that it wasn’t released as an audio book in the UK, and it seemed to be getting rarer in the rest of the world too! The benefit of my book selling business is that I can treat things like these as ‘expenses’, (well I’ll hopefully make a profit on it anyway!), so at great cost, I bought a copy. After several weeks I was hit by a large, unexpected customs bill, then finally the audio book arrived.
I’m really pleased that I did go to the effort of getting the audio book. I don’t normally like books written entirely in letter form, and I think I would have struggled to identify with the characters initially, had I read it. The audio book is very well produced, with a whole cast of actors reading it. This brought the book to life immediately, and gave each letter it’s unique voice. This enabled me to picture each of the people straight away, without having to wait for the descriptions of them, which came much later in the book.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is set just after the Second World War. Juliet is a writer, based in London, and is looking for a new subject for her next book. She begins to correspond with a group of people in Guernsey, and as she learns about what life during the war was like under German occupation, she begins to build lasting friendships with them. Captivated by their stories, she visits her new friends and her life is changed forever.
It is a simple, heart-warming story, and although many disturbing events of the war are covered, the book never felt dark.
Recommended.
Also reviewed by Word Lily , Fresh Ink Books and You’ve Gotta Read This
13 replies on “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – Mary Ann Shaffer (Audio Book)”
I read the print version of this book last year and absolutely loved it. I can imagine the audio version would be great. I might have to pick that up so I can read/listen to it again!
I believe that the audio was by far the better experience with this book. I the multiple voices were awesome.
I loved this read, and it would have been even better if I could have listened to the audio book version!!! Glad you enjoyed it.
Oh I am so glad you were able to find the audio! I had no idea it was so difficult to get, and it stinks you had to shoulder a big bill to get it. (On the bright side, you should get your cash back when you re-sell it!) I was absolutely enamoured with this book, and its delightful production in audio form. I am so happy you liked it!
I read this last year and it safetly made it into my top ten (well thirteen – like the Man Booker) books of 2008. I have also bought this for several other people who have loved it just as much. Theres something Mitford in the writing which I loved. Am reading The Bolter at the moment and am loving that too for Mitfordesque reasons.
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I actually miss the days where I drove from the college I attended 100 miles to see my fiance at his college almost every weekend and got to listen to books on CD. Having actors for all of the different characters must have brought out all of their quirks all the more! I just reviewed it on my site at http://bibliofreakblog.com/fiction/guernsey-literary-potato-peel-pie-society/
JT Oldfield – Than you for commenting on my blog for the first time! I’ve just popped across to your blog – your review is great! I’ve added you to my RSS feed.
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