I saw The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018) on Netflix, based on the #1 best-selling book by and Annie Barrows. It’s a period piece that takes place shortly after WWII. The war’s emotional aftermath still weighs heavily on the lives of these isolated islanders. Juliet Ashton, a London journalist and author, visits this small book club to explore the idea of an article about how they survived the war, and forms an unexpected bond with them. Writing, literature, life and love intersect in surprising ways.
These lines from the trailer resonated deeply. “Do you suppose it’s possible for us to already belong to someone before we’ve met them? I feel keenly how the arc of her life has changed the arc of mine forever. If books do have the power to bring people together, this one may work its magic.” It did, as does the film.
shares some revealing research on the writing of the book and the making of the movie in her review for the Los Angeles Times. Definitely worth reading and watching. For those who can’t access the article, here’s a PDF of it, minus the photos.
You might enjoy some of my other favorite romantic films, including this 2009 Korea-China co-production, A Good Rain Knows when to come, (a.k.a. Season of Good Rain). See The spring rains renew life and the promise of love in this film inspired by the poetry of Du Fu. Most of these films reveal the power of love to transform individuals challenged by some kind of adversity.
Tags: Amy Kaufman, Annie Barrows, love of books, Mary Ann Shaffer, post-WWII film, survival tactics, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Uncarved Blog 
August 17, 2018 at 1:20 am |
[…] You might enjoy some of my other favorite romantic films. They reveal the transforming power of love triumphing over adversity through time. Here is a new one I share in this post: Writing, literature, life and love intersect in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. […]
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August 17, 2018 at 1:28 am |
[…] Writing, literature, life and love intersect in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society […]
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August 23, 2018 at 3:20 am |
I might have to join Netflix. The makers of The Exotic Marigold Hotel made this film. Thank you Ken, to sharing and for finding my blog, because it led me to you.
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August 23, 2018 at 8:03 am |
Yes, they did, and Mike Newell had also directed Four Weddings and a Funeral. Apparently The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society had a successful run in British theaters and was then picked up by Netflix. I’m a sucker for good romantic films and like this direction they’re taking. I’m sure Amazon and Hulu are also producing interesting content, but for now I’ll stick with Netflix.
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August 23, 2018 at 2:00 pm |
I have joined Netflix, but they are not currently listing the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society film. I will find it though. Ken, I agree with you that the direction they are taking is a good one. There is a lot on there for me to enjoy. Thank you.
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August 23, 2018 at 4:37 pm |
I do link to it from my blog post. It’s streaming on Netflix. You left out a word, Pie, in the title. Use this link: https://www.netflix.com/title/80223371. Maybe it’s not available where you live. Ask them. Otherwise wait until it’s available on DVD. Definitely worth watching, a few times. Enjoy.
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August 25, 2018 at 4:32 am |
Thank you, Ken. I tried the link and it doesn’t bring it up. I think you may be right about the UK thing. I will email them and also, order the DVD. Hugs for you.
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October 28, 2018 at 4:36 pm |
Found your comment on my latest post that you finally saw the film and enjoyed it. Posting the link here in case anyone wants to see it. https://theuncarvedblog.com/2018/10/27/thomas-mertons-golden-poem-song-for-nobody/#comment-148447
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October 7, 2021 at 10:35 am |
[…] this earlier post on some of my favorite romantic films. I later added: Writing, literature, life and love intersect in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and The spring rains renew life and the promise of love in this film, A Good Rain Knows, inspired […]
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