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Genre: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance

Published: May 5, 2009

Pages: 290

What a wonderful book! Written entirely in letters between Juliet and the islanders of Guernsey, this was part love story and part history lesson as it recounts what happened to the island during World War II. It takes a terrible situation (being cut off from everything, sending their children to safety and then not hearing any news for five years, etc.) and showed the human side, a lighthearted and charming and funny side. We got to know all the islanders through their letters to Juliet and when she eventually visits Guernsey, they are already close friends.

“I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”

The war has affected them all in some way and there are many sad parts too. Juliet finds herself becoming attached to everyone including Kit, a precocious 4 year old whose mother was arrested by the Germans. And then there’s Dawsey who is a quiet and brooding mystery.

This was my first buddy read with my book friend Shannon and it was a fun experience to slow down and stop to discuss! (It was hard not to read ahead so I’m glad I had a second book going too.)

Have you read the book? What did you think?