Tuesday, February 10, 2015

"Major Pettigrew's Last Stand," by Helen Simonson

"Major Pettigrew's Last Stand," by Helen Simonson

In the small village of Edgecombe St. Mary in the English countryside lives Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired), the unlikely hero of Helen Simonson's wondrous debut. 

Wry, courtly, opinionated, and completely endearing, the Major leads a quiet life valuing the proper things that Englishmen have lived by for generations: honor, duty, decorum, and a properly brewed cup of tea. But then his brother's death sparks an unexpected friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. 

Drawn together by their shared love of literature and the loss of their spouses, the Major and Mrs. Ali soon find their friendship blossoming into something more. But village society insists on embracing him as the quintessential local and regarding her as the permanent foreigner.

Can their relationship survive the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of culture and tradition? 

What a wonderful book this is.  This is our book club choice for the month of March.  I just loved everything about this book, from the way Helen described the Major's personality, to the way she described how the other residents treated Mrs. Ali.  

The way the class system works or worked in this small village was not unusual for me to imagine or even read about.  The way she described the actions of the "American''s" and what the locals thought about them, were things I had seen and experienced before.

It is a wonderful love story that makes you believe in love whatever your age.  

Stars out of 5 : 5 If you like a love story; a truly British story, that is both sad at times and funny you will love this book.  I cannot do this book justice with my review, you really need to read it.


3 comments:

  1. As of I need another book to read...but I did check and can get this from the library!!! I have one I have just started on but think I might get this later.

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  2. I absolutely loved this book too. I lead a book club in my neighborhood and I'm so happy to find your blog. It's a lot of work making selections for future reads. I look forward to getting some great book choices from you.

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  3. I started this while at Sarah's...am really enjoying it. Thanks for recommending it.

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