Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen SimonsonOn the library stacks: Adult fiction
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book made the blogging rounds awhile ago, and I had decided I wasn't going to read it. But it was my book club's pick in July, so I ended up reading it anyway. It's a sweet story and I'm glad I read it, even if I wasn't totally wowed by it.
Major Pettigrew is a widower who lives in a small Sussex village. To the horror and dismay of his son and his upper crust neighbors, the Major likes the owner of the village shop, a woman of Pakistani descent names Jasmina. Between this budding relationship, the monetary problems of the local aristocracy, and the Major's own selfish son, the values the village holds dear are in some jeopardy.
I enjoyed this book. Not a lot happens in the first half, but it does help set up the eventful second half. I like the Major's wit and wisdom, but he was probably the only character that I felt I really connected with. Having lived in a village similar to this, there was quite a bit of truth in Simonson's observations on life, even if some of the events were quite melodramatic. My book group all enjoyed this one and it made for a nice discussion.
Also reviewed by: Maggie Reads ~ Lesley's Book Nook ~ So Many Books, So Little Time ~ Confessions of a Book Habitue ~ The Boston Bibliophile ~ Gerbera Daisy Diaries ~ It's All About Books ~ Capricious Reader ~ Thoughts of Joy... ~ Jules' Book Reviews ~ write meg!
Source: Gift
3 comments:
We read this as a book club last year...I wasn't much impressed with it, as I recall. A let down considering the hype.
I gave this to my sister a couple of years ago. It sounds like a book she'd like more than I would.
Thanks for the link-love! I wasn't too thrilled with this one either.
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