Written by Jessica.
Photo by Enrapture Captivating Media on Unsplash
When Netflix released the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I was hooked. A historical fiction rom-com? Yes, please. Lily James had to decide between two gorgeous guys? Sign me up. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, it takes place in 1946, right after World War II. The Nazis had occupied the island of Guernsey, which is a main struggle of the literary group. It is the reason the club exists at all. If you have seen the movie, you know all of this, however, what you might not know is that it is based on a book! And a great one.
The book is written in epistolary style, completely in letters written to and from the various characters. This style of writing has never been my favorite. I always struggle with keeping up with what is happening. We are finding out the events of the story through letters written by people who are watching it all go down.
I feel that there is always a disconnect when a story has to go through so many different people. However, I felt that the characters were complex, with enough backstory and character development. Normally, I am not a fan of a love triangle. I get that novels are a work of fiction, but if authors want to make them more realistic, don’t put in a love triangle. It is hard enough to find one person you like and have them like you back, but to have two? That is more unbelievable than vampires and werewolves. I will let it slide in this novel, though, since it is quite obvious who she will pick.
It is hard enough to find one person you like and have them like you back, but to have two? That is more unbelievable than vampires and werewolves.
“I don’t want to be married just to be married. I can’t think of anything lonelier than spending the rest of my life with someone I can’t talk to, or worse, someone I can’t be silent with”. This is kind of brilliant, in my opinion. People often jump into relationships, thinking that they just need someone, anyone. Juliet doesn’t feel like this, even though it was very against the norm.
On their own, Juliet and Dawsey are truly good people. It takes a lot to take care of a child, that isn’t yours. He is the epitome of a friend, treating Kit as his own, waiting and hoping for her mother to come home. Juliet is easily relatable. She is fierce, independent, and honest. Together, Juliet and Dawsey are utterly adorable, with all of their awkwardness that makes them fall for one another. A couple I can definitely ship. Whether you are a hopeless romantic or a history buff, this novel is definitely for you. Especially if you enjoyed the movie because as we all know, the book is always better.
Together, Juliet and Dawsey are utterly adorable, with all of their awkwardness that makes them fall for one another. A couple I can definitely ship.
Travel by the Book 