Wednesday 26 June 2013

LLBG - June

Yesterday, Lowestoft Library Book Group met to discuss The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

I read this book a few years ago, so was pleased to read it again.  It's a story about an author living in London during and after World War II.  She finds out about a literary society in Guernsey, and writes letters to the members in order to find out about their group and their life on the island during the Nazi occupation.  The book is the collection of her correspondence.

Initially, it can get a bit confusing as you're not always sure who is the voice of each letter (there's no real distinction between the characters), but once you immerse yourself in the story, it doesn't really matter who's 'speaking'.  The ending does seem a bit rushed and a bit twee, and there are a couple of elements throughout the book which seem unnecessary in the greater scheme of things.  But these things can be forgiven.

Most people enjoyed the book, even though there were a few niggly bits.  But those who enjoyed it hadn't wanted the book to end, and were contemplating what the sequel could be about.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 30th July and we will be discussing A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.

No comments:

Post a Comment