And The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society did not disappoint. I had a book of my own I'd intended to read over my vacation. I had even started it. But, as book stores often do, the shelves of an over-priced airport bookshop called to me while I waited to board my flight. And so I perused, thinking I'd just take note of books I might like to check out from the library or purchase in the future with a discounted price elsewhere. Silly me, I had travel money and time to burn. This quote inside the front cover stopped me with a feeling of rightness all around it:
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.
How could I not purchase that? This book had a homing instinct right into my hands and I loved every minute of its epistolary structure. The setting and time are tragically beautiful, the characters exquisite and real. I think I'm slightly in love with Sidney Stark and Dawsey Adams and the whole group of them.
Read. This. Book.
I stayed up too late to finish it last night. I went to bed glowing and the contended feeling of it all hasn't stopped. If you don't believe me, just read some of the words written:
"I've shoved a writing table by the biggest window in my sitting room. The only flaw in this arrangement is the constant temptation to go outside and walk over to the cliff's edge. The sea and the clouds don't stay the same for five minutes running and I'm scared I'll miss something if I stay inside. When I got up this morning, the sea was full of sun pennies--and now it all seems to be covered in lemon scrim. Writers ought to live far inland or next to the city dump, if they are ever to get any work done. Or perhaps they need to be stronger-minded than I am."
It is a good, clean summer read. For me it came at a perfect time.
Up next?
Why, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, of course. I can hardly wait.
Oh, and has anyone read The Time Traveler's Wife? I am debating whether or not to go there next before the loveliest Eric Bana appears in the soon-to-be-released film version. I heard there was a lot of sex from someone I didn't know at all at a bookstore. That worries me. I'm prudish in the sense that I won't read a graphic Harlequin romance (because anything "quivering" or "torrid" or "peaking" is just repulsive, frankly). However, when the sex is not gratuitous or it serves a specific purpose or function in the story, I don't mind. Call me hypocritical, but that's my stance on literary smut.
9 comments:
Thanks for your post. I have picked up the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society several times, but never bought it. I never saw the quote in the front cover. Now I want to read it.
I loved, loved, loved the Time Traveler's Wife. It was beautifully written and so moving. It is a love story, but so real and touchable you want to believe it is true. There are some steamy scenes, but they are a part of the relationship between Henry and Claire. I felt like they were tastelful and contributed to the story because they were part of the relationship. I don't how you would feel about them...but consider that my two cents. :)
If you loved it, I know I will love it. Anyone who adores Cather and Dillard as I do is always welcome to recommend a book. Thank you for the recommendation. The girl at the book store seemed like a prude!
Thanks for the review. Let us know on the zombies. I haven't heard anything about that. Looks carazy.
I read The Time Traveler's Wife a while ago. It was good - not an absolute favorite of mine, but it was good. Definitely worth a read. I started the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peal Pie Society, and loved it - then my sister stole it back from me. I just finished Year of Wonders - very intriguing, I couldn't put it down.
Oh and Time Traveler definitely has some sex - but is between a husband and wife which always sits better with me, and it wasn't over the top.
Hey! I saw you picked up a copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. You're going to love it! I’m with Quirk Books, the publisher of the book, and I wanted to let you know that we’re announcing our next title in the Quirk Classic series very soon. Our Quirk Classics Facebook fans will receive a special update on July 15th at 12:00 a.m. EST! Or you can always check out QuirkClassics.com. Thanks and happy reading!
These have both been on my list and are very near the top!! My sisters ward read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and loved it! And I can't wait to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Is it sad that this book has two of my favorite things?! I can't wait to see how they fuse together!!
I absolutely LOVED Guernsey! So glad you enjoyed it, too :)
AND, I absolutely agree with your assessment of Eric Bana...definitely delicious and dreamy!
First of all-I hope your trip was a success. Second-I've been really excited to read this book. I'm on a waiting list at le library. I read about the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies book and I must say, I'm intrigued. I heard that the author is doing a zombie type book about Abraham Lincoln next-hmm, not sure about that one.
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