Author:  Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows

You should read this book because:  The book grabbed me on page one and did not have a single hiccup in the writing all the way to the end.  I was very sorry when there was no more to read.  I loved that the author (who sadly died soon after the book was optioned so there will be no other gems from Mary Ann Schaffer) chose the epistolic form to write the book because she thought that would be easier.  ( I know that she learned differently. )

I gobbled up each and every letter and, as they piled up, they effortlessly created living, breathing characters and a captivating plot line. I applaud Ms. Schaffer for richly pulling it off as that is a very difficult way to tell a story.  I thought that the many different voices of the characters, as seen through their letters, was exceptionally well done.  Without looking at the name of the letter writer, I was able to determine who the author was after becoming accustomed to his/her particular style.  (Leads back to the fact that epistolic writing is hard!)

I had only read cursory reviews of this book but from those I knew the book was written in a humorous vein.  I was unaware that the true grit of the story pertained to the Nazi occupation of Guernsey and the horrors that rendered.  Even though the story depicts accurately the miseries of the occupation it maintains its hopefulness because of the artful use of humor.

The story is a good one and I am very glad that my daughter gave it to me for Christmas!    Read it.  You won't be sorry.

My favorite part was:  When our heroine is horrified to discover that her fiance, on the eve of their wedding, has removed six boxes of her books from her bookshelves and replaced them with his sporting awards.  That struck a chord with me since my books are very cherished possessions and I don't love anyone enough to let them mess with my books!