We read to know that we are not alone – C.S. Lewis

Like many I was slightly put off by the title “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” . I decided to buy the book anyway (it was on sale) and from the first page I was captivated. For me it blended all the right ingredients; an interesting time in history, fascinating characters and a well paced story line.

I have noticed that other reviews whether they like the book or not, make little mention of the galvanizing event in the book and that was the occupation of Guernsey by the Germans and what life was subsequently like for the island’s occupants. Even Juliet the main character would have seemed amiss in any world other than the post-war England of 1946. The correspondence that she sets in motion could take you from charmed to horrified in the matter of a few sentences. There is nothing sensationalizing about how this is done and that is what makes the book a fascinating read.

I will echo some reviews in saying that it had the bones of a modern day classic but there were some weak areas in the second half that took it back into the ordinary. I have recently learnt that Mary Ann Shaffer died in February of 2008. Whether the introduction of the second author, Annie Barrows or Mary Ann’s health had something to do with the shift in the writing style I could not say.

The book does not rely on grandiose scenes or bombastic characters (except for Mark who does embody the impatience of the social changes to come)  and that is why Hollywood should never touch it.  I do see a Masterpiece Theatre style of production; one that would do justice to the book’s core elements of healing, the beauty of individuality and the allure of the unpretentious.

NB: While we are speaking of television productions that do credit to the original books be sure to catch HBO’s #1 Ladies Detective Agency based on Alexander McCall Smith’s books.