The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society True Story
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a novel that became a bestseller and a movie adaptation. It is a story that revolves around the lives of people living in Guernsey, an island in the English Channel. The novel is written by Mary Ann Shaffer and her niece, Annie Barrows. It was published in 2008 and became an instant hit. The novel is written in an epistolary form, which means it is composed of letters, telegrams, and other forms of written communication. In this article, we will delve into the true story behind the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
The Occupation of Guernsey
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is set during World War II, specifically during the occupation of Guernsey by German forces. Guernsey, along with other Channel Islands, was the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by German forces during the war. The occupation began in June 1940 and lasted until May 1945. During this time, the islanders had to endure many hardships, including food shortages and curfews.
The Creation of the Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was created as a cover story by a group of islanders who were caught breaking curfew. They were able to talk their way out of trouble by telling the German soldiers that they were returning from a book club meeting. In reality, they had been feasting on an illicit pig roast. The society was then formed as a way to continue their meetings and to share books with each other.
The Inspiration for the Novel
The inspiration for the novel came from Mary Ann Shaffer's visit to Guernsey in 1980. She became fascinated by the island's history and was particularly interested in the stories of the islanders during the war. She began researching the topic and eventually decided to write a novel about it. However, she fell ill before she could complete the novel and asked her niece, Annie Barrows, to finish it for her. The novel was published after Shaffer's death in 2008.
The Characters in the Novel
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society features a cast of memorable characters, each with their own unique story. The main character is Juliet Ashton, a writer who becomes intrigued by the stories of the islanders. Other characters include Dawsey Adams, a member of the society who strikes up a correspondence with Juliet; Isola Pribby, a quirky islander who is always trying to set people up; and Amelia Maugery, an elderly islander who has a tragic past.
The Importance of Books
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a celebration of books and their ability to bring people together. The society was formed as a way for the islanders to share books with each other and to escape the harsh realities of the war. The novel also touches on the power of literature to inspire and to heal. Many of the characters in the novel are transformed by the books they read and the friendships they form.
The Legacy of the Novel
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society has become a beloved novel, and its popularity has only increased with the release of the movie adaptation in 2018. The novel has been translated into over 30 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide. It has also inspired many people to visit Guernsey and to learn more about its history. The novel's legacy is a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to connect people across time and distance.
Conclusion
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a novel that has captured the hearts of readers around the world. It is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of books to bring people together. The true story behind the novel is just as fascinating as the fictional one, and it reminds us of the sacrifices that people made during the war. The novel's legacy is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and its ability to inspire and to heal.
