Review of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

**Review of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows**

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2008), co-written by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, is a delightful and heartwarming novel set in the aftermath of World War II. Presented in the form of letters, the book chronicles the correspondence between Juliet Ashton, a London-based author, and the members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a quirky group of individuals who formed the society during the German occupation of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. Through the exchange of letters, Juliet learns about the lives of the people of Guernsey, their experiences during the war, and the bonds they formed through books and a shared love of reading. The novel beautifully blends humor, heartfelt emotion, and historical reflection, highlighting themes of friendship, resilience, healing, and the power of literature to bring people together.

Themes in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Power of Books and Literature:
One of the central themes in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is the transformative power of literature. The society’s love for reading becomes a way for its members to endure the hardships of war and the German occupation of Guernsey. Books provide solace, a means of escape, and a way to connect with others. The characters often use literature to express their feelings and reflect on their experiences, highlighting how stories and shared reading can bring people together. The society’s unique name—Potato Peel Pie Society—even has roots in literature, as it was formed out of a shared love of reading, providing a sense of belonging and community during dark times.
The Effects of War and Healing:
Set in the years following WWII, the novel explores how the war has impacted the people of Guernsey and the long road to healing and recovery. Through the lives of its characters, the book addresses the emotional and psychological scars left by the war. Many of the characters, especially the women of the island, show resilience as they navigate the effects of loss, trauma, and separation. Juliet’s journey mirrors the broader emotional journey of the islanders, as they come to terms with their past and find ways to move forward. The novel delicately portrays the process of healing through friendship, community, and the simple yet profound act of sharing stories with others.
Friendship and Community:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society celebrates the importance of friendship and community. The members of the literary society, though initially brought together by unusual circumstances, develop deep and lasting bonds as they share their experiences and support each other through difficult times. Juliet’s relationship with the members of the society, particularly with Dawsey Adams, Isola Pribby, and Elizabeth McKenna, underscores the theme of how friendships can grow in unexpected ways. The novel demonstrates the healing power of human connection, showing that when people come together, whether through literature or shared adversity, they can create a supportive and caring network that helps them face even the greatest challenges.
Love and Romance:
Romance is another significant theme, particularly in Juliet’s relationship with Dawsey Adams. Their relationship develops through letters, beginning as an exchange about books and evolving into something deeper. Their slow-burn romance showcases the beauty of connection that grows from mutual respect, shared interests, and an emotional bond. Their love story highlights themes of timing and fate, as Juliet finds love in the unlikeliest of places and at a time when she had given up on romance after the trauma of war. The novel suggests that love can emerge from unexpected sources and that the healing of the heart can happen when least expected.
Identity and Personal Growth:
Through the letters between Juliet and the Guernsey residents, the novel also touches on the theme of personal growth and the search for identity. Juliet, as a successful author, has spent much of her life cultivating a public persona, but through her correspondence with the people of Guernsey, she begins to realize that she has been missing a deeper, more meaningful connection to herself and others. Her journey is not just one of romantic or professional fulfillment but also of self-discovery. Similarly, the characters on the island each undergo personal transformations as they recover from the war and embrace their identities, whether through their role in the society or their evolving relationships with one another.