Major Ernest Pettigrew (Ret'd) is not interested in the frivolity of the modern world. Since his wife's death, he has tried to avoid the constant bother of the village women, his ambitious son and the suburbanisation of the English countryside. He prefers to lead a quiet life, upholding the values that people have lived by for generations - respectability, duty and a properly brewed cup of tea (very much not served in a polystyrene cup with teabag left in). But when his brother's death, and a love of Kipling, sparks an unexpected friendship with the widowed village shopkeeper, Mrs Ali, the Major is forced to confront the realities of the twenty first century. Written with a delightfully dry sense of humour, "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" is a charming, against-all-odds love story that introduces unforgettable characters and questions how much risk one should take for personal happiness in the face of family obligation and tradition.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
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'As with the polished work of Alexander McCall Smith, there is never a dull moment but never a discordant note either ... Its main characters are especially well drawn, and Ms. Simonson makes them as admirable as they are entertaining. They are traditionally built, and that's not just Mr. McCall Smith's euphemism. It's about intelligence, heart, dignity and backbone. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand has them all' --New York Times
'It's gentle and charming, but these words can't convey the slow-burning pleasure of this novel' --The Times The Times
'I LOVED Major Pettigrew, such a quirky, lovely novel' --Sophie Dahl
With a hero whom generations will recognise and love, this novel brings balm to the heart' --Angela Huth
`In the noisy world of today it is a delight to find a novel that dares to assert itself quietly with the lovely rhythm of Helen Simonson's funny, comforting, and intelligent first novel - a modern day story of love which takes everyone, grown children, villagers, and the main participants, by surprise - as real love stories tend to do'
--Elizabeth Strout
'It's gentle and charming, but these words can't convey the slow-burning pleasure of this novel' --The Times The Times
'I LOVED Major Pettigrew, such a quirky, lovely novel' --Sophie Dahl
With a hero whom generations will recognise and love, this novel brings balm to the heart' --Angela Huth
`In the noisy world of today it is a delight to find a novel that dares to assert itself quietly with the lovely rhythm of Helen Simonson's funny, comforting, and intelligent first novel - a modern day story of love which takes everyone, grown children, villagers, and the main participants, by surprise - as real love stories tend to do'
--Elizabeth Strout
Book Description
An enchanting, humorous and heart-warming novel set in an English village
A Richard & Judy Book Club selection --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
A Richard & Judy Book Club selection --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
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This is a very gentle tale of two widowed individuals who find friendship and then love later in life. It is slow-paced for the most part and that is part of its appeal.
The Major and Mrs Ali come from different cultural backgrounds but each has suffered the bereavement of losing their partner and the changing dynamics that occurred in their families as a result; Mrs Ali is facing family pressure to give up her shop in favour of her nephew, whilst Major Pettigrew is challenged by a son with high expectations of inheritance and who has few qualms about selling the family `silver'.
Helen Simonson skilfully weaves together the story of family tensions over possessions that hold value in the aftermath of bereavement with the story of a burgeoning affection between two individuals. It is the perfect accompaniment to a Sunday evening, curled up on the sofa in front of the fire.
The Major and Mrs Ali come from different cultural backgrounds but each has suffered the bereavement of losing their partner and the changing dynamics that occurred in their families as a result; Mrs Ali is facing family pressure to give up her shop in favour of her nephew, whilst Major Pettigrew is challenged by a son with high expectations of inheritance and who has few qualms about selling the family `silver'.
Helen Simonson skilfully weaves together the story of family tensions over possessions that hold value in the aftermath of bereavement with the story of a burgeoning affection between two individuals. It is the perfect accompaniment to a Sunday evening, curled up on the sofa in front of the fire.
80 of 88 people found the following review helpful
By Gabrielle O
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
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I don't think I will be alone in thinking that this novel is really exceptionally good. Three stars? Four stars? What are you thinking, people?! Major Pettigrew's Last Stand definitely deserves the full five stars in my book. I did not expect to like it as much as I did, but I found it very readable and hard to put down. Despite the fact that it is very readable and engaging, I do think there is quite a bit of substance to the novel.
Yes, this book is essentially a romantic comedy (there are the requisite smushy bits and hilarious bits). And it is very readable (I couldn't put it down). But I felt there was a lot more to it than that. The main characters are senior citizens, and the setting is a small and picturesque English village. I am sure you can guess from the title that the main character is an elderly chap, Major Pettigrew. None of these things sound like ingredients for a gripping tale (though why shouldn't they be?) but they are. The Major is a decent sort, if old-fashioned - set in his ways and full of prejudices and preconceptions. In fact, he is practically emotionally crippled by his extreme politeness and sense of right and wrong, which is often founded on societal norms. The Major faces the world with a stiff upper lip and is almost comically conservative and set in his ways. Of course, it turns out that there is much more to him than this - and he discovers that there is much more to Mrs Ali, the Pakistani lady who runs the village shop. Drama ensues, but I won't spoil the plot for you by describing it. The Major is a classic case of a main character who I really didn't expect to like. Yet, when push comes to shove, the characteristics that make the Major rather irritating are the same ones that make him a wonderfully brave, likeable character who always tries to do the right thing in the face of adversity.
I thought this was just a brilliant read, and I've lent it to my best friend already. It's a very funny, thought-provoking and heart-warming look at old age, family, stereotypes, fitting in to society, and of course (most importantly!) love.
Yes, this book is essentially a romantic comedy (there are the requisite smushy bits and hilarious bits). And it is very readable (I couldn't put it down). But I felt there was a lot more to it than that. The main characters are senior citizens, and the setting is a small and picturesque English village. I am sure you can guess from the title that the main character is an elderly chap, Major Pettigrew. None of these things sound like ingredients for a gripping tale (though why shouldn't they be?) but they are. The Major is a decent sort, if old-fashioned - set in his ways and full of prejudices and preconceptions. In fact, he is practically emotionally crippled by his extreme politeness and sense of right and wrong, which is often founded on societal norms. The Major faces the world with a stiff upper lip and is almost comically conservative and set in his ways. Of course, it turns out that there is much more to him than this - and he discovers that there is much more to Mrs Ali, the Pakistani lady who runs the village shop. Drama ensues, but I won't spoil the plot for you by describing it. The Major is a classic case of a main character who I really didn't expect to like. Yet, when push comes to shove, the characteristics that make the Major rather irritating are the same ones that make him a wonderfully brave, likeable character who always tries to do the right thing in the face of adversity.
I thought this was just a brilliant read, and I've lent it to my best friend already. It's a very funny, thought-provoking and heart-warming look at old age, family, stereotypes, fitting in to society, and of course (most importantly!) love.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
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I have mixed feelings about this book, and am finding it hard to properly review it. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it, but I found it a bit too twee for my liking and it was bordering on tedious in the middle. The book started really well, and I thought I was going to love it, but I felt it lost its way a bit. Does anybody really live like the people in the book? I could have believed it if it had been 50 or 60 years ago, but it did feel a little far-fetched.
The Major and Mrs Ali, as the main characters, are quite likeable. The other characters have little to recommend them really. I know some were not meant to be likeable, but I didn't really take to them in any way at all.
Who knows, perhaps it was just the wrong time for me to read this book, and if I give it another go in the future I might be along to change my review! For the time being, I've given it 3 stars which, according to Amazon, means it's ok, and that's just what I felt it was.
The Major and Mrs Ali, as the main characters, are quite likeable. The other characters have little to recommend them really. I know some were not meant to be likeable, but I didn't really take to them in any way at all.
Who knows, perhaps it was just the wrong time for me to read this book, and if I give it another go in the future I might be along to change my review! For the time being, I've given it 3 stars which, according to Amazon, means it's ok, and that's just what I felt it was.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
fast read
this was chosen for my book club, really enjoyed it. Rather a good dig at the pettiness of 'golf club' lifestyles, and the braveness of one man to go against it all.
Published 1 day ago by S MUNRO
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent first novel
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is the first novel of British-born American author, Helen Simonson. Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired) lives in the charming English village of Edgecombe... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Cloggie Downunder
4.0 out of 5 stars
Major Pettigrew's last stand
Enjoyed the build up of the love story. Characters were varied, interesting and funny. Good read. I would recommend it.
Published 12 days ago by Valerie Ritchie-Littler
2.0 out of 5 stars
v dull read
Didn't get far with this as found the whole thing twee and lacking in charm. Do people like this really exist?
Published 15 days ago by Steph Davies
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gentle story that raises issues in a sympathetic way about race,...
From my book group, may not have chosen it, but enjoyed it very much. Read it quickly as I loved the two main characters.
Published 24 days ago by Barbara
5.0 out of 5 stars
fab book
Our book group loved this book, really easy read and lots to discuss, great to have a book about the older generation that is feisty and good fun.
Published 25 days ago by Mrs S L Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Romance over chapatis
When I began to read I thought it was heading into Mid Summer Murders territory , an English village with an old gentleman completely out of touch with modern Britain. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Ms. P. J. O'CONNOR
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jolly Good Read!
Really funny and entertaining. The Major had lost his wife and thought that he wouldn't find love elsewhere and that it was just him until the end. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Andrea
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad
It was ok a bit wishy washy, an easy read. Nothing too taxing. The ending was very nice with a bit of a twist.
Published 1 month ago by ELIZABETH M
5.0 out of 5 stars
A really good read - on par with "....Harol Fry"" ... and "100 year...
Having read "Harold Fry" & "100 Year Old Man ...." I wasn`y sure it would compare - I was wrong ! A very good read - altho` at times a wee bit slow. Read more
Published 1 month ago by p g bray
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