Finished another one

I picked this one because of the title. How can you not be intrigued by The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Again it has paid off checking the new book area at the library.


From Publishers Weekly:
The letters comprising this small charming novel begin in 1946, when single, 30-something author Juliet Ashton (nom de plume Izzy Bickerstaff) writes to her publisher to say she is tired of covering the sunny side of war and its aftermath. When Guernsey farmer Dawsey Adams finds Juliet's name in a used book and invites articulate—and not-so-articulate—neighbors to write Juliet with their stories, the book's epistolary circle widens, putting Juliet back in the path of war stories. The occasionally contrived letters jump from incident to incident—including the formation of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society while Guernsey was under German occupation—and person to person in a manner that feels disjointed. But Juliet's quips are so clever, the Guernsey inhabitants so enchanting and the small acts of heroism so vivid and moving that one forgives the authors (Shaffer died earlier this year) for not being able to settle on a single person or plot. Juliet finds in the letters not just inspiration for her next work, but also for her life—as will readers.

I've used italics and green to note the bits I don't agree with.
I usually dislike books written as letters to and from but found this one easy to follow and didn't have a problem because I paid attention to the sender and the recipient. It probably helped that I read it almost right through in one sitting.
This book did have a single person, Juliet, and yes, she was surrounded by others with their own strong stories but she was the centre they all revolved around.

I enjoyed this book. It made me smile, laugh and get a little teary.

..........

Haddock comments for Jeanie: I soaked it in milk having been told that helps to keep the fish smell down as well as a base for the panko I sprinkled on top. I did a little shake shake shake over the top with the citrus and pepper seasoning I bought to make one of Jayne's recipes. Baked in a preheated 400F oven til flaky.
It was OK. Paul liked it but I still prefer salmon or trout.
The kitchen still smelled of fish so milk wasn't the miracle I was led to believe.