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A review by jenbsbooks
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows, Mary Ann Shaffer
4.5
Goodreads isn't super social for me, but I do have friends and followers. Those reviews appear at the top before the rest of the community reviews. I think this book has the most interaction of my f&f ... 57 of my 182 friends have marked this as read.
I had watched the movie, but it was a few years ago and I didn't really remember much of it except that I liked it. That being said, I dislike the movie image taking over the cover. Dawsey and Juliet seem older in the book. I had no idea the book was written in letter format. One of my favorite books from years ago is A Woman of Independent Means (all the letters there are only outgoing from the MC). In a more recent short story, [book:Evidence of the Affair|41715227] - we get letter to/from two people. Letter writing is similar to journal writing (often a journal is "to" someone, as AnneFrank addresses her writings to "Kitty", and recently in [book:Drinker of Ink|199485037] - the entries are addressed to "progeny") ... so books written in journal format (also [book:The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1|52085140]) have a similar feel. Here, in AUDIO, different narrators really bring the various individuals to life.
While yes, the title alludes to a "bookclub" of sorts, I was happily surprised at all the book references within. About books in general, about specific books/authors, about how a book club could work.
I always appreciate being able to learn a little something from historical fiction. When authors can drop in interesting tidbits that will stick in my memory. Things like grinding birdseed into flour, the Germans tracking the births/deaths of animals (I believe it was the first time I'd heard this) ... reviews on other things, like sending children away, rationing, concentration camps, etc.
Words: Scant, Rifling, just one smirk/one scowl
I had this in all three formats. There is a map in the print copy (doesn't translate to audio) as well as an author's note and discussion questions (not included in audio). The Table of Contents was very limited, just divided into two parts, not any of the individual letters listed. The audio TOC had additional "first line" breaks. I was glad I didn't need to move between formats - I would have had to listen for the date given in a letter and use that for reference (at least it stayed chronological) and flip through until I found my spot.
I really enjoyed the different voices, and the way people present the facts/story in a letter (although, I don't know that I use dialog/actual quotes). For a time I collected all my outgoing mail (emails) and years later, it it interesting (to me only, I'm sure) to look through and remember.
Maybe not a total 5*, but solid 4.5 ... I really enjoyed it, will remember it, wouldn't mind having a copy (and I have an extra to put in the LittleFreeLibrary). I have seen the corresponding movie. Definitely could be a "bookclub" book, lots of potential for discussion.
I had watched the movie, but it was a few years ago and I didn't really remember much of it except that I liked it. That being said, I dislike the movie image taking over the cover. Dawsey and Juliet seem older in the book. I had no idea the book was written in letter format. One of my favorite books from years ago is A Woman of Independent Means (all the letters there are only outgoing from the MC). In a more recent short story, [book:Evidence of the Affair|41715227] - we get letter to/from two people. Letter writing is similar to journal writing (often a journal is "to" someone, as AnneFrank addresses her writings to "Kitty", and recently in [book:Drinker of Ink|199485037] - the entries are addressed to "progeny") ... so books written in journal format (also [book:The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1|52085140]) have a similar feel. Here, in AUDIO, different narrators really bring the various individuals to life.
While yes, the title alludes to a "bookclub" of sorts, I was happily surprised at all the book references within. About books in general, about specific books/authors, about how a book club could work.
I always appreciate being able to learn a little something from historical fiction. When authors can drop in interesting tidbits that will stick in my memory. Things like grinding birdseed into flour, the Germans tracking the births/deaths of animals (I believe it was the first time I'd heard this) ... reviews on other things, like sending children away, rationing, concentration camps, etc.
Words: Scant, Rifling, just one smirk/one scowl
I had this in all three formats. There is a map in the print copy (doesn't translate to audio) as well as an author's note and discussion questions (not included in audio). The Table of Contents was very limited, just divided into two parts, not any of the individual letters listed. The audio TOC had additional "first line" breaks. I was glad I didn't need to move between formats - I would have had to listen for the date given in a letter and use that for reference (at least it stayed chronological) and flip through until I found my spot.
I really enjoyed the different voices, and the way people present the facts/story in a letter (although, I don't know that I use dialog/actual quotes). For a time I collected all my outgoing mail (emails) and years later, it it interesting (to me only, I'm sure) to look through and remember.
Maybe not a total 5*, but solid 4.5 ... I really enjoyed it, will remember it, wouldn't mind having a copy (and I have an extra to put in the LittleFreeLibrary). I have seen the corresponding movie. Definitely could be a "bookclub" book, lots of potential for discussion.