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

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Description

“ I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.” January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could... read more

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Summary

Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands, nominally part of Great Britain but located in the English Channel, close enough to see mainland Europe with the naked eye. And, as the residents of Guernsey discover during World War II, close enough for the Germans to occupy. What started out as a... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Cast of Characters/Important People

Juliet Ashton: Lead protagonist - a writer who is compelled to move to Guernsey.
Dawsey Adams: A farmer on the island of Guernsey in England.
Isola: A vegetable seller in Guernsey.
Eben: A fisherman in Guernsey.
Will Thisbee: Creator of the famous potato peel pie.

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Memorable Quotes

“P.S. I did not throw "The Shepherd Boy Sings in the Valley of Humiliation" at the audience. I threw it at the elocution mistress. I meant to cast it at her feet, but I missed.”
Juliet Ashton
“So far my only thought is that reading keeps you from going gaga”
Juliet Ashton
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad books”
“I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true.”
Juliet to Dawsey
“Men are more interesting in books than they are in real life.”
Isola Pribby to Juliet
“What a blight that woman is. Do you happen to know why? I lean toward a malignant fairy at her christening.”
Juliet to Dawsey, about Adelaide Addison
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad books.”
Isola
“-no bended knee, but a diamond as big as a pigeon egg-”
Juliet Ashton
“I think she'll want to kiss him for it. You can too- but keep it short. I make no threats, Juliet- but Ivor is mine.”
Susan to Juliet
“P.S. Thank you for the lovely clipping of Mark dancing with Ursula Fent. If you were hoping to send me into a jealous rage, you failed. Especially as Mark had already telephoned to tell me that Ursula follows him about like a lovesick bloodhound. You see? The two of you do have something in common: you both want me to be miserable. Perhaps you could start a club.”
Juliet to Sidney

Setting & Important Places

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Organizations

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First Sentence

Dear Sidney, Susan Scott is a wonder.

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Glossary

Todt workers: Germany’s slave workers in camps on the continent

Errata

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Series

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Authors & Contributors

Mary Ann Shaffer (Author) - Mary Ann Shaffer died before she finished the book. Her neice Annie Barrows, having worked with Mary Ann prior to her demise, completed the novel. She did an amazing job pinch-hitting for her aunt.
Annie Barrows