At a glance
Historical fiction
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
288 pages · First published 2008
In 1946, London writer Juliet Ashton receives an unexpected letter from Dawsey Adams, a resident of Guernsey who has discovered her name inside a secondhand book. Their correspondence introduces Juliet to the wonderfully eccentric Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a book club invented as an excuse when its members were caught breaking curfew during the German occupation. As letters arrive from the island, Juliet discovers stories of unlikely friendship, wartime deprivation, quiet courage, and the mysterious fate of Elizabeth McKenna, the remarkable woman who brought the group together. Drawn to the island and its people, Juliet travels to Guernsey, where the bonds formed through books begin to transform her own life. Told entirely through letters, this moving historical novel balances gentle humor and budding romance with the lasting wounds of war. Perfect for readers who love found family, memorable characters, and hopeful stories of friendship and healing in the aftermath of hardship.
House Berry Tea + Blackberry Bramble
Choose your bookseller
Find the Book
Print retailers offer a search when an exact edition is unavailable. Kindle links open a specific edition. Audiobook links may open an edition or a search.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Book Bartender earns from qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org links also earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. Your price is not affected. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
World War II and Nazi occupation; wartime deprivation, food shortages, and starvation; imprisonment, deportation, and concentration camps; references to Nazi persecution and cruelty; wartime deaths and grief; a child separated from her mother; pregnancy outside marriage and a relationship with a German officer; mild romantic content and kissing.
Alcohol-Free Pour
House Berry Tea
A comforting cup of berry-infused tea celebrates the letters, books, and unexpected friendships that bring Juliet into the heart of Guernsey's remarkable community.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Steep the tea and any herbs or whole spices in hot water according to the tea type, then strain. Stir in sweetener and juices. Serve hot.
- Garnish: Citrus peel, herb, or fruit from the recipe, if applicable.
- Glassware: Mug.
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Mug ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Blackberry Bramble
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
Blackberry sweetness and a bright, tart finish echo the wit and warmth of Guernsey's unlikely literary society, while the darker fruit notes hint at the wartime sorrows hidden beneath its cheerful name.
What you'll need
- 2 oz gin
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice ↗
- 1/2 oz blackberry syrup ↗
- Crushed ice
How to mix it
- Shake gin and lemon juice with ice. Strain over crushed ice and drizzle the blackberry syrup over the top.
- Garnish: Fresh blackberry and lemon wheel.
- Glassware: Rocks glass.
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Rocks glass ↗Set up the bar cart
Shop the Barware
Find the glasses and tools for your next pour.