 2008-11-26 - Overrated- warning SPOILERS
I bought this book because of the reviews, and don't get me wrong, it's a pleasant way to pass a few hours. The superlatives for this book, however, seem misplaced.
The book reminds me somehow of the Girls' Annuals of the 1950s, which I read 20 or 30 years later; perhaps it's the can-do spirit of the people of the United Kingdom that allowed them to win the war, which percolates through both. Perhaps not many people remember them.
This book is cleverly written in an epistolary form. Some may think that such detailed letters were commonplace 60 years ago, but they weren't. It comes as a surprise when Juliet sends a telegram to one of her correspondents because she cannot wait for the next letter to find out the story.
Too many people are stereotypes, particularly the impetuous heroine with a ticking biological clock, the strong but silent hero, the good German, and the intolerant churchgoer. How many people did not know how the book was going to end? It is a facile country versus city and salt of the earth Guernseyman versus slick American tale.
The relationships are not well explored. Other books have done a much better job of describing how one can so easily fall in love with a child not one's own. It comes as a surprise here, and makes me think Juliet would have fallen in love with any child. Her overinvolvement in this society, too, comes as a surprise. She is a woman bored with London and in search of a cause.
I don't regret the AU$20 I spent on this, but it is not the most delightful or the most charming book I have ever read. The style and subject of this book are a sign of the age of the author. It is so sad that she did not live to see her book top the charts, and it is a reminder to us that the elderly have stories, and we should hear them before it is too late.
The rave reviews seem to indicate that most people have forgotten contemporary stories of the war and occupations. I wouldn't rush to buy it again,but it is a good holiday read.
 2008-11-26 - Wonderful, wonderful!!!
One of the best books I've read in quite some time. I found myself so drawn into the story, so in love with the people, the setting, the time period. Even with all the heartache (keep a tissue box handy) you'll find you love so many of the characters, cheering them on, while hating others because of their own spiteful and selfish natures.
 2008-11-26 - A satisfying read
This book made me laugh and cry. The amusing stories about the characters made it bearable to also read about the horrors of the war. The characters seemed so real, and Elizabeth was such an inspiring person. In the beginning I was not sure about reading a full book in this format - a series of letters. But it turned out to be a quick read for me.
2008-11-25 - One of the best stories I've read in a long time!
This was a great book - I liked the letter format and learned about Guernsey and the occupation of that island during World War II that I was not ever aware of. I recommend it and would like to read more stories like this one.
2008-11-25 - Where is the Recipe?
I really enjoyed this book as it gave me an insight of what it may have been like in Guernsey during WWII. I read and listened to the book, and the readers were excellent!
This book is great to take on a trip, as you can read it in pieces and still follow all the characters.
This book would make a great gift for any holiday and if a movie ever comes out - it will be a great "chick" flick.
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