Sophia C. reviewed on 9/9/2009 + 289 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 20

An exemplary epistolary novel about and for bibliophiles! The central correspondent is the witty, free-spirited Juliet Ashton, having written a humorous newspaper column during World War II subsequently compiled into a best-selling anthology called Izzy Bickerstaff Goes to War, in search of new material for her next project. A stranger, who happens to be a founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, comes into the possession of one of her books and writes her a letter. Intrigued by the stories of how the Channel Island of Guernsey survived the German Occupation, Juliet strikes up a correspondence with members of the Society and ultimately travels to the Island, living among them to research her book.

Despite the somber overcast of WWII in the immediate past, Juliet's correspondents are full, vibrant characters, fleshed out in descriptive letters which are so missing from our modern communication. The novel harkens back to a more traditional time when friendships can blossom and be sustained on letters, but at the same time Juliet is a modern, independent woman in search of meaningful work and relationships. I'm saddened to learn that the primary author has passed away--requiring her niece's collaboration due to her failing health to make revisions--but not before knowing that this poignant book will be well received because it truly succeeds in showing how deep friendship and "the love of art ... enables people to transcend any barrier man has yet devised."

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