Unsentimental, intelligent and warm, this endlessly amusing comedy of manners is the best first novel ive read in a long, long time. Her characters etch themselves into your head and heart, lingering long after the last page has been savored. Love is not only for the young and, as it did the major, it has the capacity to revitalize. How would the book be different if it were told from roger s perspective. The major belongs to a nonintegrated golf club in their village and is girding himself for a messy battle with his sisterinlaw marjorie over a valuable hunting rifle that should rightfully have gone to him after berties death. Major pettigrews last stand is a lovely book, funny and poignant and i am pleased to report, a happy one too featuring a love story between two middle aged characters and their internal struggle to not only accept that they are falling in love again but also all the external implications of their affair. We have not met yet but i am looking forward to the discussion. Written with a delightfully dry sense of humour and the wisdom of a born storyteller, major pettigrews last stand explores the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of family obligation and tradition. When retired major pettigrew strikes up an unlikely friendship with mrs.
Major pettigrews last stand, by helen simonson the. As with the polished work of alexander mccall smith, there is never a dull moment. In her charming debut novel, simonson tells the tale of maj. Major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson is a charming, adorable, sweet story about two widowed residents of the small english village of edgecombe st. I had never heard of major pettigrews last stand when it landed on my desk, but its opening scene hooked me. Jan 04, 2011 major pettigrew s last stand is a heartwarming, humorous and charming crosscultural love story. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading major pettigrews last stand. Major pettigrews last stand is a brilliantly written novel. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson for all readers, there is the hope of finding a writer whose work they have not read or a book by a debut author. Helen simonsons major pettigrews last stand the new.
Major pettigrew s last stand summary major pettigrew s last stand. Ali 58 is a lovely, intellectual, pakistani woman trying to. Everyone is in everyone elses business and gossips about whoever is not there. And this novel major pettigrews last stand has much to recommend it. Part cultural commentary, part love story, the book is full of unforgettable characters whose charm will quickly win readers over. Its all about intelligence, heart, dignity and backbone. Major pettigrew s last stand is a finelytextured comedy of manners concerning a retired english gentleman s growing affection for a pakistani widow amid his attempts to cope with the current generation s departure from the proper british ways he learned in childhood and the family conflicts surrounding his brother s death.
An attempt to modernize the village novel could well be embarrassing rather than amusing. There is all the insularity and peculiarity of living in close quarters with. In the outset of major pettigrew s last stand, the major is described as feeling the weight of his age, but on page 320, the morning after his romantic evening with mrs. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson book club. Major pettigrews last stand, however, proves that any book about any subject matter or any type of characters can become a great experience if written well. Major pettigrew is a very proper and delightfully droll widower of 68 who resides in the quaint village of edgecombe st. Both are set in sussex, england, where i lived as a teenager. Major pettigrews last stand helen simonson, 2010 random house 384 pp. Alexander mccall smiths most recent book is the double comfort safari club. A novel by helen simonson is a work of fiction and the author s debut novel. I had never heard of major pettigrews last stand when it landed on. A novel by helen simonson is a work of fiction and the authors debut novel. There is all the insularity and peculiarity of living in close quarters with a few families. Ali at colonel prestons lodge, simonson writes that a pleasant glow, deep in his gut, was all that remained of a night that seemed to have burned away the years from.
Apr 22, 2010 it s funny all the different things people will take away from one good book. Major pettigrews last stand is a finelytextured comedy of manners concerning a retired english gentlemans growing affection for a pakistani widow amid his attempts to cope with the current generations departure from the proper british ways he learned in childhood and the family conflicts surrounding his brothers death. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Literature, fiction, new york times bestseller, nyt. Part cultural commentary, part love story, the book is full of unforgettable characters whose. Courting curmudgeons, wayward sons, religion and race and realestate in a petty and picturesque english villagemajor pettigrews last stand is surprisingly, wonderfully romantic and fresh. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson random house 384.
The major takes pleasure in his wellorganised and rational life until he finds out that his patronising son, and the kind yet interfering ladies of. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson, 9781408809556, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for an excellent light summer read. Major pettigrews last stand is a delightful book with a large cast of characters, many who gain insight into aspects of their own personalities andor that of others. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson is a charming, adorable, sweet story about two widowed residents of the small english village of edgecombe st. Major pettigrew s last stand is a heartwarming, humorous and charming crosscultural love story. Major pettigrews last stand audiobook by helen simonson. The cover of major pettigrews last stand is from a 1924 issue of life magazine. The major struggles to find footing in his relationship with his adult son, roger. With courting curmudgeons, wayward sons, religion, race, and real estate in a petty and picturesque english village, major pettigrew s last stand. The real pleasure of this book derives not from its village conventions but from its. Grief is what it took to make the rigidly correct major notice mrs.
But simonson pulls it off, making major pettigrews last. The book started a bit slow but once i gave myself over to the story i really became engrossed and wanted to keep reading. Major pettigrews last stand is a best book club book for discussion about two figures drawn together by their love of literature and the loss of their respective spouses. And major pettigrews last stand certainly does not disappoint. I had never heard of major pettigrew s last stand when it landed on my desk, but its opening scene hooked me. Major pettigrews last stand is refreshing in its optimism and its faith in the. Mary, a small village in the english countryside filled with rolling hills, thatched cottages, and a cast of characters both hilariously original and as familiar as the members of your own family. Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this major pettigrews last stand study guide and get instant access to the following summary. Major pettigrew s last stand helen simonson, 2010 random house 384 pp. Old spinsters run the gardening clubs and book clubs. Discuss the progressions of the characters you feel changed the most from the beginning of the book to the end. The story details the life of major ernest pettigrew, a 68 year old widower living in edgecomb st.
That major pettigrews last stand opens at a moment of heartbreak has no sobering effect whatsoever. Simonsons writing is sharp in its criticism of narrowmindedness, but her affection for her characterseven the very flawed onesis obvious. Major pettigrews last stand this dryly delightful debut novel is the most endearing love story ive read in a long time. Major pettigrews last stand summary major pettigrews last stand. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson librarything. Underneath its engaging facade, it becomes something akin to the melding of a slowburning romcom and a lightly handled but larger social issues.
Im a huge fan of the tv series cranford and grantchester and so many lovely smallvillage stories that the bbc is so good at producing. This novel is, essentially, a love story between a 68year old retired major ernest pettigrew and a 58year old pakistani shop keeper mrs. Ali at colonel preston s lodge, simonson writes that a pleasant glow, deep in his gut, was all that remained of a night that seemed to have burned away the years from his back. When retired major pettigrew strikes up an unlikely friends. In the outset of major pettigrews last stand, the major is described as feeling the weight of his age, but on page 320, the morning after his romantic evening with mrs. Ernest pettigrew, an honorbound englishman and widower, and the very embodiment of duty and pride. Ali at colonel prestons lodge, simonson writes that a pleasant glow, deep in his gut, was all that remained of a night that seemed to have burned away the years from his back.
Major pettigrew s last stand is a brilliantly written novel. Major pettigrews last stand is a 2010 novel by english author helen simonson. Im a huge fan of cranford and grantchester and so many lovely smallvillage stories that the bbc is so good at producing. Major pettigrews last stand is a heartwarming, humorous and charming crosscultural love story. The cops believe that abdul wahid may have played a part in it, but the major and jasmina know hed never hurt her. Youll laugh, youll wipe away a tear or two and you certainly will enjoy time spent with major pettigrew. When i read thatmajor pettigrews last stand was set in a small village in england, and i didnt read any further before getting the book. I read that major pettigrews last stand was set in a small village in england, and i didnt read any further before getting the book. May 14, 2014 major ernest pettigrew retired leads a quiet life in the small rural english village of edgecombe st mary where he values the proper things that englishmen have treasured for generations honour, duty, decorum and a properly brewed cup of tea. In her debut novel, major pettigrew s last stand, helen simonson crafts an enchanting tale, brilliant in its simple yet profound insight into human nature a light and crisp perfection.
Helen simonson crafts an enchanting tale, brilliant in its simple yet profound insight. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson goodreads. Helen simonsons first novel, major pettigrews last stand, may dutifully tick all those boxes, but its not just a simple reworking of a muchloved but faded literary standby. How to discuss a book helpful discussion tips generic discussion questionsfiction and nonfiction readthinktalk a guided reading chart also consider these litlovers talking points to help get a discussion started for major pettigrews last stand. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson, paperback. It seems sweet at the start, in its idyllic english countryside, but then it becomes something so much more. He is the father of roger, a posturing and preening young man who has incorporated none of the values of his dad. Mar 07, 2010 an attempt to modernize the village novel could well be embarrassing rather than amusing. Major pettigrew s last stand, however, proves that any book about any subject matter or any type of characters can become a great experience if written well. I have a growing list of people who are getting the book as a present.
He also must contend with his grown son roger, a callow, materialistic. It really is a beautiful story and is worth the time spent. But simonson pulls it off, making major pettigrews last stand an entertaining and even rather. Major pettigrew had been happily married to his wife, nancy, who died six years earlier. First impressions in major pettigrews last stand can be deceiving. March 9, 2010 setinhisways retired british officer tentatively courts charming local widow of pakistani descent. Major pettigrews last stand updates the english countryside novel with multicultural characters, and she transcends the genre with their complexity. May 25, 2011 major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson, 9781408809556, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. And major pettigrews last stand does not disappoint.
Major pettigrews last stand by simonson, helen ebook. Ali, the pakistani village shopkeeper, he is drawn out of his. Set in a small town in the english country called edgecombe st. Review of major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson random. In her debut novel, major pettigrews last stand, helen simonson crafts an enchanting tale, brilliant in its simple yet profound insight into human nature a light and crisp perfection. Complete summary of helen simonson s major pettigrew s last stand. The cover of major pettigrew s last stand is from a 1924 issue of life magazine. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading major pettigrew s last stand. Major pettigrews last stand is a wonderful comedy of manners in which the multiculturalism, rudeness and self absorption of the present collide with the stiff upper lip, rigid social consciousness and self absorption of the past as portrayed by major pettigrew. The crazy great aunt with the knitting needles stabbed amina, and abdul wahid ran away with herthe crazy aunt, that is. Helen simonsons major pettigrews last stand the new york times.
The book has a couple of broadly vulgar american characters, and they turn up in the majors village in what he regards as disturbingly rapid. Major pettigrew 68 is the quintessential british manofthecountry, complete with strong ideas about duty, honor, family, village life, etiquette, and tea. Mar 09, 2010 major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read major pettigrews last stand. Underneath it s engaging facade, it becomes something akin to the melding of a slowburning romcom and a lightly handled but larger social issues. Its funny all the different things people will take away from one good book. How would the book be different if it were told from rogers perspective. Mary, a small village in the english countryside filled with rolling hills, thatched cottages, and a cast of characters both hilariously original and as familiar as. And this novel major pettigrew s last stand has much to recommend it. Major ernest pettigrew retired leads a quiet life in the small rural english village of edgecombe st mary where he values the proper things that englishmen have treasured for generations honour, duty, decorum and a properly brewed cup of tea. Feb 22, 2010 that major pettigrews last stand opens at a moment of heartbreak has no sobering effect whatsoever. Jan 24, 2011 major pettigrews last stand is a lovely book, funny and poignant and i am pleased to report, a happy one too featuring a love story between two middle aged characters and their internal struggle to not only accept that they are falling in love again but also all the external implications of their affair.
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