58 pages 1 hour read

Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

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Book Club Questions

General Impressions

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of genocide and wartime atrocities. 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book. 

1. Prior to reading the novel, were you aware that Guernsey had been occupied by German forces during World War II? How does The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society differ from other novels that are set during a similar time period? (For example, you may wish to consider All the Light We Cannot See or The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah.)

2. Do you typically enjoy reading works of historical fiction? If so, what time periods and events do you most enjoy reading about?

3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is coauthored by an aunt and a niece. Have you read other works penned by multiple authors? What are the advantages and challenges involved in the creation of a book that is written by more than one person?

Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Reading is often depicted as a solitary activity, but the concept of a literary society implies that writing and reading can be communal and social activities.