I thought about putting *spoiler alert* in the title of this post, but maybe that would be unnecessary since this is a book review and those tend to have spoilers.
I confess that I watched the movie before reading this book. In my defense, I had no idea that the movie was based on the book, or that the book existed at all. I watched it because I love Lilly James ever since Cinderella. I did love the movie, and wish it was a series instead of a stand alone film. I came across the book when I was looking up Guernsey after watching the movie, and immediately searched for a copy of it.
The book is written as a collection of letters, which is something I've loved since I was in elementary school. There's a book "Dying to Meet You" that is written as a collection of letters, notes, and newspaper clippings, and this book reminded me of that one. I loved reading the perspectives of so many of the characters, each unique in their own way. I only wish we could've gotten some of Dawsey's longing, pining point of view when he thought his love for Juliet was unrequited.
The characters were endearing, and there was not one whose letters didn't interest me. Dawsey, I'm not ashamed to admit, won me over from the very first letter he sent Juliet. Where are the men interested in reading, who write letters, and love so gently and quietly? Juliet was great herself, very lovable and able to form strong relationships with most people.
Now, I also have to give the author credit. The book, to me at least, felt summer-like, and the found family aspect was so whimsy. However, World War II topics such as holocaust survivors, Todt workers, famine, and violence were all huge parts of the plot. There was no sugarcoating the fact that those things are terrible and never should have happened, but there was also hope, rebuilding, healing, and starting anew.
I really enjoyed reading this, I will recommend it and will be rereading it soon. It has put Guernsey on my future travel destinations, much like Prince Edward island.
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