In the 1940s, there was no social media to connect people during a time of danger and isolation. Finding ways to connect with other humans was particularly difficult for those on the German Occupied island of Guernsey, which is one of the islands between England and France. However, in a work of fiction by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, those on the island find a unique way to to connect, and find laughter, hope and love during one of the most grim moments in history.
Written as a series of letters, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society is perhaps my favourite work of historical fiction, partially because it is the only novel I have read in this format but mostly because it is about books. I read this book for the first time when I was trapped in New Jersey after missing a connecting flight home, and I felt that I needed a book to keep me company. Tired and alone, I found comfort in this story.
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
Written as a series of letters, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society is perhaps my favourite work of historical fiction, partially because it is the only novel I have read in this format but mostly because it is about books. I read this book for the first time when I was trapped in New Jersey after missing a connecting flight home, and I felt that I needed a book to keep me company. Tired and alone, I found comfort in this story.
One might think that writing a novel using only letters would be a difficult way to convey a story, but Shaffer and Barrows somehow manage to bring every letter to life; each character has their own voice, their own views on the Occupation, and each alters the life of the protagonist, Juliet, in a different way.
(Side note: The movie, though differing from the book in some minor ways, was very good in my humble opinion)
Although it was a captivating read, I did not decide to pick it up for a second time until a few days ago, when I made a startling realization: What is happening to Juliet in the book is somewhat similar to what I have been experiencing while using Bookstagram.
Bookstagram
Social media is not one of my strengths, and I had not heard of the Bookstagram family until my birthday, when my brother revealed that as a gift to me, he had started an Instagram account for The Opinionated Bookworm. Not only was I extremely uplifted by my brother's thoughtful gift (he is the only one who reads every blogpost, so for him to do this was heartwarming) but I was welcomed to the Bookstagram family with open arms! My brother warned me we might get some negative comments, but thus far everyone has been charming.
To my Bookstagram family, we may be in a different type of crisis than the one faced in the 1940s, but I feel that by connecting in this way, we are doing what the people in this novel did. We are reaching out using books, which is an amazingly powerful thing. I think that (somehow) you learn more about people by discussing their taste in books than you do by other means...so even in a time of isolation, we are making new friends, and keeping each other hopeful in an uncertain time.
That being said, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society is a book well worth reading. If you are a fan of historical fiction, romance (Jane Austen/Bronte Sisters), then I am certain you will like this book. The format might be off-putting, but give it a shot, you might be surprised at how powerful letters can be. This bookworm gives this book 5/5 stars, and I will probably read it again when I feel the need to.
Don't forget to share any comments or recommendations in either the comment section below, by email (theopinionatedbookworm@gmail.com) or on Instagram (@theopinionatedbookworm1). I cannot wait to hear from my book family. Stay home, stay safe, and keep reading!
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