Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows: The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society

[StillILearn]

If I can find mine, maybe I'll read it again with y'all. It was that good.

 

[pontalba]

I'm about a third of the way through it and yes, I love it. I knew that Germany occupied "an" island, but only after I ran across the DVD of Island at War.

Amazon.com
Island at War turns a little-known bit of history into an extraordinarily rich miniseries. During World War II, the Nazi forces occupied the Channel Islands, located between France and England. Island at War unfolds on the fictional island of St. Gregory, where a web of interconnected characters cope with the occupation--a politician struggles to maintain peaceful relations, for fear of brutal reprisals; an island policeman's anger at the occupation becomes complicated when he's forced to chauffeur the commanding Nazi officer and he discovers the position gives his family privilege; a shopkeeper, angry about her husband's death in an early bombing raid, finds herself sharing in profits with a Nazi official as they bring much-wanted food and supplies to the island; a girl hiding her Jewish identity becomes the object of a brutal lieutenant's sexual obsession. These four stories are only a hint of the series' fullness; the script, direction, and performances are superb, building an engrossing portrait of how human beings cope with extremity and how the smallest of interactions--from laying rocks on a wall to getting a photograph developed--can lead to profound and unexpected results. The economy and complexity of Stephen Mallatratt's script are remarkable. The forces of money, sex, prejudice, and love run deep through every story, juxtaposing private moments with historical scope. Island at War matches skill and talent with passion and insight. --Bret Fetzer

It's a fictional take on the subject, and much of what I've read in Guernsey is told in the mini-series.

It's true SIL, the characters leap off of the page.

 

[StillILearn]

I'm going to go look for this DVD on Netflix. Thank you!

 

[pontalba]

I'm kind of stalled on reading lately, about half way through, although what I've read is certainly enjoyable. It flows evenly.

 

[pontalba]

This afternoon, I finished the last half, and SIL, you were absolutely right on target, all y'all were! It's one of those books that makes you laugh, cry, and love these people. It tears your heart right our of your body at times. However. . . . . . . . . I about fell off my chair laughing at Mr. Skeeter's opinions regarding The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius!

But I did read it and here is what I think. Marcus Aurelius was an old woman--forever taking his mind's temperature---forever wondering about what he had done, or what he had not done. Was he right---or was he wrong? Was the rest of the world in error? Could it be him instead? No, it was everybody else who was wrong, and he set matters straight for them. Broody hen that he was, he never had a tiny thought that he couldn't turn into a sermon.

 

[Comeflyaway]

I requested this book from my library based on this thread, and I finally made my way to the top of the holds queue last week! Anyway, I'm about 3/4 of the way through, and the fact that I didn't find time to finish it last night makes me sad. At first, I read it obligingly, but the more that I get to know the characters, the more I get drawn in. The book started off just ok, but got better and better, and now I'm very impatient for today to fly by so I can go home to finish it up :-D

 

[Libra]

I read this one yesterday and I agree ,it is a good book.I found it deals with serious issues and topics but in a lighthearted way.There is a balance that does not tire you.

This is exacly how I feel.

"That's what I love about readingne tiny thing will interest you in a book,and that tiny thing will lead you to another book and another and another.It's all geometrically progressive-all with no end in sight and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment.."


and talking about a good discussion...

"Poor old man must forever be doing penance or atoning or fasting or lashing himself with knotted ropes.All because he was Born into Sin-and there he stays until last minute of his life when he will recieve God's mercy..."