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. 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. Major pettigrews last stand, by helen simonson the. The book is at times violent, at times melodramatic, but. Mar 09, 2010 a riveting, potentially redemptive story of modern american suburbia that reads almost like an ancient greek tragedy. 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. Jan 04, 2011 major pettigrew s last stand is a heartwarming, humorous and charming crosscultural love story. Small mindedness is an underlying motif in this book. Major pettigrews last stand succeeds in showing the depth behind the veneer. The only drawback i can see is that when there is a book that everyone loves, its sometimes hard to get a good discussion going. Major pettigrews last stand npr coverage of major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson. Wodehouseand dont mind having your emotional buttons pushedmajor pettigrew s last stand is the book for you.
Its funny all the different things people will take away from one good book. About a british gentlemans unlikely friendship with a pakistani shopkeeper. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson, paperback. 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 have just finished major pettigrews last stand and was not disappointed. Major pettigrew s last picture show the novel was optioned for a film waaay back in 2011. 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. Mar 07, 2010 but simonson pulls it off, making major pettigrews last stand an entertaining and even rather moving novel of goingson in a thin, gimcrack england that is, alas, only too recognizable. This study guide consists of approximately 35 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of major pettigrew s last stand.
Part cultural commentary, part love story, the book is full of unforgettable characters whose charm will quickly win readers over. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson the english countryside, a retired general and a quiet shopkeeper come together in this magical tale of unexpected romance. Underneath its engaging facade, it becomes something akin to the melding of a slowburning romcom and a lightly handled but larger social issues. Their stories, set against the backdrop of village life, foster tenderness toward each of these characters who charmed me all the way through the book, and beyond. 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. Major pettigrew s last stand helen simonson, 2010 random house 384 pp.
Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson book club. Mar 17, 2011 major pettigrew s last stand was a pretty interesting discussion book and i do think most book clubs would find plenty to discuss. Part cultural commentary, part love story, the book is full of unforgettable characters whose. Wry, courtly, opinionated, and completely endearing, major pettigrew is one of the most indelible characters in contemporary fiction, and from the very first page of this remarkable novel he will steal your heart. When the whitmans, a nouveau riche white family, move into a sprawling, newly built house next door to valerie alstonholt, a black professor of forestry and ecology, and her musically gifted, biracial 18yearold son, xavier, in a modest, diverse north carolina neighborhood of. Two years ago i was heading back from las vegas to north idaho when i realized that i was almost done with my book and would probably finish it midflight. Major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson random. And major pettigrews last stand certainly does not disappoint. May 07, 2014 major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson librarything. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for an excellent light summer read. But first, we need you to sign in to pbs using one of the services below. What did you observe about the reading habits of george, roger, mrs. This novel is, essentially, a love story between a 68year old retired major ernest pettigrew and a 58year old pakistani shop keeper mrs.
How does helen simonson portray americans in this novel. 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. Major pettigrews last stand book markham public library. All the characters, but particularly major pettigrew and mrs ali, were so full of life and as i read more and more i became quite invested in the story.
Major pettigrews last picture show the novel was optioned for a film waaay back in 2011. Major pettigrews last stand and book club to go youtube. Major pettigrew s last stand helen simonson, author. Major pettigrew s last stand npr coverage of major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson. I feel like i have reached the end of that rare kind of book that is widereaching in its content, but deep enough to provoke the reader to consider how they might react to the various elements in its unusual story line. But simonson pulls it off, making major pettigrews last stand an entertaining and even rather moving novel of goingson in a thin, gimcrack england that is, alas, only too recognizable. 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. Ali, the town shopkeeper in the village of edgecombe st. Major pettigrews last stand audiobook by helen simonson. Major pettigrews last stand is the first novel of britishborn american author, helen simonson. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation. This study guide consists of approximately 35 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of major pettigrews last stand. I had never heard of major pettigrews last stand when it landed on.
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. As with the polished work of alexander mccall smith, there is never a dull moment. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson goodreads. 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. Handpicked recommendations to other books that have a similar writing style or theme to major pettigrew s last stand. Both are set in sussex, england, where i lived as a teenager. Major pettigrew s last stand this dryly delightful debut novel is the most endearing love story ive read in a long time. Apart from the wonderful characters and storyline, the book was so beautifully written. A novel paperback january 1, 2011 by helen simonson author.
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. Complete summary of helen simonsons major pettigrew s last stand. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. A retired and widowed british army major falls in love with the pakistani woman who runs the countryside villages convenience store. Wry, courtly, opinionated, and completely endearing, major pettigrew is one of the most indelible characters in contemporary fiction, and from the very first page of. Apr 15, 20 major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson was the winner of my local book club book of the year award for 2012 see my favorite books at. Major pettigrews last stand use one of the services below to sign in to pbs. Major pettigrew had been happily married to his wife, nancy, who died six years earlier. Major pettigrews last stand is refreshing in its optimism and its faith in the. Jun 24, 2011 major pettigrew s last stand is in development. Youll laugh, youll wipe away a tear or two and you certainly will enjoy time spent with major pettigrew.
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. Feb 22, 2010 that major pettigrews last stand opens at a moment of heartbreak has no sobering effect whatsoever. 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. Major pettigrews last stand books richard and judy. Its all about intelligence, heart, dignity and backbone. Written with sharp perception and a delightfully dry sense of humour, major pettigrews last stand is a heart warming love story with a cast of unforgettable characters that questions how much one should sacrifice personal happiness for the obligations of family and tradition buy the book. I have a growing list of people who are getting the book as a present. A novel by helen simonson is a work of fiction and the authors debut novel. Some six years after the death of his wife nancy, it takes.
Handpicked recommendations to other books that have a similar writing style or theme to major pettigrews last stand. Complete summary of helen simonsons major pettigrews last stand. A version of this article appears in print on march 7, 2010, page 16 of the. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson was the winner of my local book club book of the year award for 2012 see my favorite books at. Helen simonsons major pettigrews last stand the new york times.
Major pettigrews last stand is a heartwarming, humorous and charming crosscultural love story. Among them is major ernest pettigrew retired, the unlikely hero of helen simonsons wondrous debut. Written with sharp perception and a delightfully dry sense of humour, major pettigrew s last stand is a heart warming love story with a cast of unforgettable characters that questions how much one should sacrifice personal happiness for the obligations of family and tradition buy the book. Major pettigrew s 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. Helen simonsons major pettigrews last stand the new. Major ernest pettigrew retired lives in the charming english village of edgecombe st mary. 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 helen simonson, 2010 random house 384 pp. I am helen simonson, author of the new york times and international bestseller, major pettigrews last stand and now the proud author of a second novel, the summer before the war. Alexander mccall smiths most recent book is the double comfort safari club.
Major ernest pettigrew is a 68 year old widower living in edgecomb st. 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 pettigrew s last stand is a brilliantly written novel. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading major pettigrews last stand. Ali, brought together by their loneliness and love of literature. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson is a good book that took me two years to read, or more accurately, two years to finally open it. Major pettigrews last stand is a brilliantly written novel. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading major pettigrew s last stand.
Major pettigrew s last stand is a heartwarming, humorous and charming crosscultural love story. 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. Major pettigrews last stand was a pretty interesting discussion book and i do think most book clubs would find plenty to discuss. A riveting, potentially redemptive story of modern american suburbia that reads almost like an ancient greek tragedy. Major pettigrews last stand helen simonson, author. If major pettigrews last stand is any indication, readers will enjoy simonsons writing for many years to come.
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 pettigrews last stand by helen simonson random. It seems sweet at the start, in its idyllic english countryside, but then it becomes something so much more. That major pettigrews last stand opens at a moment of heartbreak has no sobering effect whatsoever.
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