BOOK CLUB: November - The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society

Turns out we're not moving anywhere, at least for now. It was all just too messy and difficult. So we're back and we're posting. I hope people are still reading... 

November's book club book was a total gem, didn't you think? I absolutely loved it, didn't want it to end. In fact, I rationed the last 50 or so pages and I NEVER do that. 

So what did you think? I really hope you loved it too or we might have to fall out...

Comments

[Dot]

I loved this book so much! Here's link to my review:

http://dot-scribbles.blogspot.com/search/label/Mary%20Ann%20Shaffer%20and%20Annie%20Barrows

[Cara]

Quite often when a book is written as a series of letters, it just doesn't hold together enough. This was the exception. The letters were often quirky and random at times but really enhanced the storytelling of the book. It brought to life a rather harrowing experience for many of the characters, but with great humour and humility.

I loved how some where telegrams from Australia, others were notes under doors and from one lady a warning about the unsuitability of publishing an article about the society members, as they were all(in her opinion) of questionable character.

The story behind how the book came about and was completed is quite poignant too.

Thanks Keris for introducing me to yes a 'total gem' of a book.

[diane]

I LOVED this book too! I loved the characters, the insight into life under occupation (which was something I knew VERY little about, so I'm glad my eyes were opened).

HOWEVER, I read in the acknowledgements or the afterword or something that the author died before the book went to print (which made me cry, sap that I am) and so her niece made some changes that the publisher wanted. I wonder if that's why the love story, nice happy ending that it was, seemed a little tacked on? It seemed at first that she was going to get together with her editor, they have a very flirty relationship and seem right for each other... then suddenly, false alarm! He's gay, she's marrying an island man. It seemed a little hasty. Did anyone else feel the same?? Was everything tied up a *little* too neatly at the end? And did the pace flag a *tiny* bit in the last 50 pages or so? (Or was it just me?)

Not that I didn't really enjoy it. I do love books written as letters. I'd just like to discuss it a bit with people who've read it, now that I know some :)

[Keris]

Afraid I don't agree at all, Diane. I thought the editor was gay right from the beginning and I also thought she was going to end up with, um, whatsisname right from the back cover blurb! Not sure about the pace of the last 50 pages though since I was slowing down my own reading cos I didn't want it to end. Honestly, I felt like I could have kept reading it forever. Wish it was a neverending story like the Mme Ramotswe books (even though I *might* be a little bored of that series now).

But, yes, fascinating insight into the occupation, which I knew nothing about either (it's amazing to me that I can be 38 and still learning stuff about WWII that completely horrifies me).

[Cara]

I find that I get a bit fidgety if things aren't tied up neatly - I know that doesn't happen in "real life", but thats what I like about fiction. I even wanted them to have made a mistake about the character who never came home, you know she had just got amnesia somewhere and wasn't really dead - now that would have been too neat I know.

Have any of you read the David Baddiel book The Secret Purpose, regarding the forced internment of 'aliens' during WWII on The Isle of Man? I found that whole development during the war horrifying and fascinating too. His take on it was part fact, part fiction, and again very moving.

[diane]

Ha, well my gaydar must be right off LOL. (Not fair including the blurb though! I didn't read that so I could be swept up in the story. I'm doing that more and more, even though I get very tempted, because it often reveals too much. I'm tempted to glue some paper to the back of books LOL). I just thought it lost a little pace and maybe I could see the joins a little. Although Cara, I too wished the dead woman would come back!

I got fed up with the Mme Ramotswe books a few books back so have pretended they've finished (he started really dragging the story out and grasping for material IMO, whereas the first 3 or 4 were quite pacey, in their laid-back way.)

I'd be interested to read the David Baddiel book now.

[Michelle]

Oh I adored this book! I laughed, I cried. It really was lovely. Knew from the start the editor was gay and she'd end up with what's-his-name, but the journey there was so sweet. Had no idea all those things occurred on Guernsey.

[Camilla]

Just read it and absolutely loved it. It's rare for a book to be written this way and really work which makes it even more of a gem. I thought Juliet was a particularly enigmatic character - her pithy little letters were fab.

I thought the Elizabeth storyline was tragic and wished she could have back.