Annotation-Gentle Reads

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Author- Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Publication date August 2008
Genre-Gentle Reads
Geographic Location-Guernsey
Time period-1946
Pages-274 pages

Synopsis

The impact of a single letter is delved into in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Miss Juliet Ashton is introduced as a young writer living in London just after the end of the Second World War. She is attempting to rebuild her life following the loss of her home and possessions, including her treasured books, as a result of the War. Juliet is also struggling to find the subject of her next book when she receives a letter in the mail. Mr. Dawsey Adams, a pig farmer on the island of Guernsey, requests her assistance in locating books by Charles Lamb. He had recently read a book by Charles Lamb with Juliet’s name and contact information written on the flyleaf years before and requests her assistance in this regard. Juliet and Dawsey begin to exchange letters, thus setting into motion events which will forever change Juliet’s life.  In his letters, Dawsey describes life in Guernsey during the Occupation and relates the story of how a book club comprised of local townspeople was born out of an alibi devised to avoid arrest by German soldiers. Subsequent letters by various members of the Society relate personal stories of life during this time in Guernsey and the difficulties encountered by the ordinary townspeople of the island are conveyed through these stories. The impact of the occupation of Guernsey by the Nazis and the subsequent tales of heroism are described through their anecdotes. Juliet has thus found the subject of her next book. With that end in mind, Juliet travels to Guernsey to meet the people she has, up to this point, met only through letters. This decision alters the course of her life.  

The story is effectively told in an epistolary style.

Elements of a Gentle Read

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society exhibits many of the elements found in the Gentle Reads genre.

Pacing
Gentle Reads have a pace that is unhurried and leisurely. This is particularly evident as this story is told through the letters written by the characters.

Tone
Although the details and anecdotes of the war are often heart wrenching, they definitely touch the heart. Then general mood is hopeful as is customary in this genre.

Characterization
Characters in Gentle Reads are generally ordinary people. However they may be living under extraordinary circumstances.  All of the members of the Society were average farmers or townspeople, yet they survived under extraordinary circumstances during the War and displayed heroism in many ways.

Story Line
Relationships are central to this genre as is seen in the relationships among the members of the Society.  In particular, the relationships Juliet has with Sidney, her editor, Sophie, her best friend and with Dawsey, are critical. Humor, born out of the quirks of some of the local characters is sprinkled throughout the story. The mood is kept light through this added element of humor.

Setting
As many Gentle Reads, this setting of this story is primarily in a small town. Although London also figures into the story, the setting of the story is a small town, as is true of many Gentle Reads. Ultimately, the story concludes in this small town.

Read Alikes

84 Charring Cross Road by Helene Hanf
A novel also written in epistolary fashion, a New York writer responds to an ad by a London bookseller leading to their correspondence.

Dream When You’re Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg
Set during World War II, three sisters begin correspondence with young servicemen.

Land Girls by Angela Huth
During World War II, three girls from very different backgrounds become volunteer farmers and develop a love and appreciation of the land.

Between Friends by Debbie Macomber
Two friends, growing up after the War, maintain their close friendship despite growing apart as their lives take them on different paths.