Wednesday November 23

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Margaret contributed these observations:

The book discussed this month was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Anne Shaffer. It is written in the epistolary form which all agreed is a very arduous undertaking and the general consensus was that the difficulties inherent in this form were not overcome. Set in 1945 the book did not ring true with regard to London post war. Despite research it was felt that the author was unable to recreate the atmosphere either there or in occupied Guernsey. The language used in the letters is unconvincing, and perhaps as an American the author did not understand speech usage of the time (or moreover, at all, kb).
The first part of the book deals with Juliet’s (the main character, an author) first contact with the literary society, which was set up in Guernsey on an impulse, to deflect the attention of the German occupying forces when a curfew was not respected. One of the members, Darsey, finds a book with her name in it and writes to her. There then follows a series of letters about the members of the society and she becomes intrigued and eventually goes to Guernsey to meet them.
The main interest for most was the fact that Guernsey suffered five years of German occupation of which many were unaware. That this was inevitable is proved by the fact that the British authorities evacuated all the children from the island, before the arrival of the occupying forces. The occupation is the focal point of the book. From it came about the society, with an unlikely choice of books, Charles Lamb and Seneca. The other character of great importance is Elisabeth, who invented the society and she is a strong character, despite her physical absence, probably the most convincing in the book. She was arrested and deported for harbouring a Polish worker who was starving to death. Her child, the result of a love affair with a German officer who is sickened by the war, will help bind Juliet to Darsey.
The general feeling was that the book was unconvincing for the era in which it was set, superficial and at times flippant.

Krysia added:

We examined the book in detail and everyone contributed to a most interesting critique. We ate supper most elegantly and most deliciously. Next month's meeting  on December 21st.will be at Sheila's. The book is 'One Day' by David Nicholls. Several of us have already read the book, but if you haven't, there are copies circulating. Let me know if you need one.

I found the epistolary writing style of this novel rather difficult because it took a long time for the characters to be developed. Even the main character Juliet Ashton took some time and until the characters came alive I wasn’t really pulled along by the novel. And of course there are lots of characters. Also the quaint way the letters were written in a kind of PGWodehouse nineteen twenties style, irritated me after a while so at times the book didn’t really engaged me. I kept on thinking about whether people at that time really spoke like that or wrote like that.
Those who had rarely read anything more than scripture, seed catalogues and the Pigman’s Gazette would they have read ‘Selections from Shakespeare”
selected essays of Elia by Charles Lamb, ‘The Letters of Seneca”


However the things I liked about it were:
It was accessible and easy to read and not too long thank goodness.
I liked the warm heartedness of the characters and the way they were brought together through books, and their wartime camaraderie which continued after the War.
The book was a great idea; the Nazi occupation of Guernsey, which historically is very interesting. It prompted me to think about what it would have been like if the Germans had occupied England and how my grandmother learnt German when war broke out in case England was invaded. She said that if she was going to be dominated by a load of foreigners she at least wanted to know what they were saying. It made me realise that the fear of occupation must have been ever present.
The contrasts between the horrific stories of Nazi brutality and the gentile lives of the characters.
I also liked the romance between Juliet and Mark

Kerry:

Overall, while most felt that the premise was fascinating and well covered through research, Anne observed that it sounded like writing by number and detracted from any interest one might develop in the actual story. Taken as a light read, as Diane suggested, it was enjoyable, but that was difficult to do considering the subject matter.

Krysia also thoughtfully compiled a list of classics from which to choose the book for February which will be: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. The list also included:

Dickens, Bleak House, Great Expectations
Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
Wilkie Collins, Woman in White
Mishima, The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea
Murakami, After Dark
Guy de Maupassant, Bel Ami
Collette, Cheri
Simone de Beauvoir, She Came to Stay
Melville, Typhee
Raymond Chandler, Farewell my Lovely

It was a lively discussion in any case and thanks to everyone for making it such an enjoyable evening.

We look forward to seeing you all on 21 December at Sheila's.