MudithaA Woman’s Quest for Freedom in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Before the dawn of the digital age, we used to write letters, and we loved writing and receiving letters. Back in the day (I feel so old saying this even), we would wait for the postman and check if there were any letters for us. Most importantly, we would patiently take our time to reply. Unlike today’s modern world, instant replies are not the norm. Now, everything is at our fingertips, for better or for worse. Now imagine reading a book that only consisted of letters.
Juliet, a writer in London, corresponds with Dawsey, a pig farmer, through letters after Dawsey finds the address in a book by Charles Lamb that he found in Guernsey. (Note to take: the importance of second-hand books, sometimes you can find the address of the previous owners of the book) How a simple book can change one’s life is amazing, something that you would feel as you read this captivating book. The setting focuses on the German Occupation and the horrible treatment and events that the inhabitants of Guernsey had to face during this atrocious period. Juliet aspires to write about the Occupation in Guernsey after writing so many letters back and forth with some people on this island.
Sometimes, it is a pity that not everyone understands the value of a book and the aspirations one has, like Juliet, who wants to meet these people on this island and write a book about them. In the meantime, a glamorous, rich Mark floods her with roses and lavish dinner parties and manipulates her to marry him. Some people simply don’t get it, right? That’s not what she wants. This even baffles the man when she says ‘no’ to these advances. His sole objective is to marry the girl. Her desires and dreams are nothing to him. Well, he will surely get engaged to the next girl that he lays eyes on and moves along if she says no. Will he do that?
“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.”
Amidst all this persuasion and a promise of a family life, she sets sail to this small island, Guernsey, to meet the members of a book club with the strangest name, “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”. Who doesn’t want to meet them? She takes a leap of faith. What is this strangely titled book club? What made her go there? What was so interesting about these people? How did they survive the horrible atrocities of the Germans at that time?
“That’s what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you to another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It’s geometrically progressive – all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment.”
The bonding over a passion for reading books created a haven for them amidst the chaos. These newfound friendships create a story about compassion and freedom. Juliet, who struggled to find a story to write, became a part of the story that was meant to be herstory.
After reading this book, I reluctantly returned it to the library as if saying farewell to a dear friend. I hope another reader finds this gem written by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. The movie adaptation of this book is wonderfully done with an amazing cast. So, readers, you have two options here. Either way, if you read the book or watch the movie, you will definitely feel like checking the other, too. I guarantee it.
