“I didn't realize this book was a best-seller until I'd almost finished it. It's definitely worth reading if simply for the account of the WWII German occupation of the island of Guernsey in the English Channel close to France.
The book is written as a series of letters between friends. At first I was worried that I might not like this format, but it was really quite fun and kept you tied in to various story lines. It works VERY well. This book has a bit of everything - romance, drama and history. Although it is light reading, you quickly identify with the people and are moved by their plight.
It's somewhat of a book within a book. Juliet, an author of a popular newspaper column during WWII, discovers a village on Guernsey and makes friends with the people. She uncovers the story of Elizabeth, one of the islanders who was taken prisoner (for protecting a slave) to Ravensbruck. We learn about children who are sent away to the mainland (England) for safekeeping during the occupation and other hardships. The villagers form a literary society (you can read about the name in the book) and begin reading the books they find on hand. I find I am very curious about Charles Lamb now.
After corresponding for a while via letters, Juliet makes an extended visit to Guernsey and falls in love with the people and their stories.
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Debbie V wrote this review Friday, May 15 2009.
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