Your Stories

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, first published in 2008, takes a look into the lives of Guernsey people following the German Occupation during the Second World War focusing on a series of fictional letters between a Guernsey farmer and an author in the UK.

Soon after its release the book received a very positive reaction from both readers and critics, particularly in the USA and UK. This led to Visit Guernsey contacting the publishers and organising a competition for readers to get the chance to visit Guernsey.

The visitors discussed the book at the library

Tony Dawson of the Commerce and Employment Department said, "It was a superb marketing opportunity" for Guernsey as a tourist destination.

Tony explained that when they found out about the book they contacted the publishers about a possible tie-in which led to every copy of the book and its marketing material featuring the Visit Guernsey website and contact information.

Part of the tie-in involved a competition giving book clubs and reading groups the chance to win a trip to Guernsey to find out more about the island.

Vicky Griffiths from Winchester was a member of the winning book club from the UK and she said, "We really enjoyed Guernsey... you get an idea of where things [from the book] could be."

Elaine and Vicky are both fans

The American 'sweepstake' winners were The Wesley Chapel G.R.I.T.S. and Elaine Rosoff of the club said: "The title was enchanting and as we read the book we fell in love with Guernsey."

Having experienced the island Elaine said: "Its charming and the people are just how I imagined."

While in Guernsey the book clubs were treated to tours of St Peter Port and the rest of island taking a look at places similar to those in the book and met with people who lived in Guernsey during the Occupation and got to hear their stories.

Vicky said, "They're very gentle people who've lived amazing lives". Elaine described the people they met as "real heroes" after hearing their Occupation stories.

With the book being translated into other languages, receiving positive reviews from both readers and critics and with a major motion picture in the works, it seems Guernsey may have a new claim to fame thanks to this interestingly titled book.