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. Written with a delightfully dry sense of humour, major pettigrews last stand is a charming, againstallodds love story that introduces unforgettable characters. Our book club really enjoyed reading this comedy of manners set in modern day england with a decidedly oldfashioned major pettigrew and circumstances that. What is it about the moment when he opens the door to her at the beginning of the book that causes him to start to fall in love with her. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson book club. First impressions in major pettigrews last stand can be deceiving. Helen simonsons major pettigrew s last stand is a novel of love and grief and family and relationships. Helen simonsons first novel, major pettigrews last stand, may dutifully tick all those boxes. Like most other bloggers, i really enjoyed this charming, cozy novel. Major pettigrews last stand this dryly delightful debut novel is the most endearing love story ive read in a long time. 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. 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. The book started a bit slow but once i gave myself over to the story i really became engrossed and wanted to keep reading.
I had never heard of major pettigrew s last stand when it. Jasmina ali, the pakistani shopkeeper from the village. 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 audiobook by helen simonson. Mary, england, until his brothers death sparks an unexpected friendship with mrs. Helen simonson has written a novel about remarkable people who endear the heart. Here is the recipe our hostess, gail, used to make the chicken tikka masala from. Major pettigrews last stand book club kit vancouver. This wry, yet optimistic comedy of manners with a romantic twist will appeal to grownup readers of both sexes. Feb 22, 2010 that major pettigrews last stand opens at a moment of heartbreak has no sobering effect whatsoever. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson is a story of second chances, falling in love, and changing expectations.
As with the polished work of alexander mccall smith, there is never a dull moment. And now she has a mustread novel being discussed by book clubs everywhere. A charming sense of humour is an excellent addition. The major struggles to find footing in his relationship with his adult son, roger. Major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson random. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading major pettigrew s last stand. Helen simonson s major pettigrew s last stand is a novel of love and grief and family and relationships. Major pettigrews last stand is a book that i plan to read again in order to savor simonsons lavish narration and more fully appreciate the ingenious way that she crafts a powerful story about an english gentlemans last stand in favor of all that is still right with this everchanging world. 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 pettigrew s last stand. Perhaps, after a brief glance at it, you suspect its a little too charming, but instead of falling into the trap of simply glorifying life in a quaint english village, this book is full of many unpleasant characters, family problems and threats to. Helen simonsons major pettigrews last stand the new. Its common for book clubs to choose a specific book to read and discuss at the same time.
Since it s recent paperback release, it seems that major pettigrew s last stand is everywhere. Major pettigrew s 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. In helen simonsons hands, major pettigrews last stand is a story glowing with hope, optimism, and kindness. 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. If major pettigrews last stand is any indication, readers will enjoy simonsons writing for many years to come. 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 pettigrews last stand, by helen simonson its funny all the different things people will take away from one good book. Its basically pound cake and you are supposed to drink madeira or sherry or other liqueur with it.
The story details the life of major ernest pettigrew, a 68 year old widower living in edgecomb st. Love reaching out across the cultural barriers always makes for a good tale. Drawn together by their shared love of literature and the loss of their respective spouses, the major and mrs. It really is a beautiful story and is worth the time spent. The cover of major pettigrew s last stand is from a 1924 issue of life magazine. 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. Both are set in sussex, england, where i lived as a teenager.
A longtime resident of brooklyn, new york, helen is currently living in the washington d. She also made a madeira cake with jam and grilled peaches. Mary, england, until his brother s death sparks an unexpected friendship with mrs. Discuss the progressions of the characters you feel changed the most from the beginning of the book to the end.
Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this major pettigrew s last stand study guide and get instant access to the following summary. A novel by helen simonson is a work of fiction and the author s debut novel. Reading guide for major pettigrews last stand by helen. We have not met yet but i am looking forward to the discussion. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The shy romance between a retired british officer and a local pakistani shopkeeper is the main plotline of helen simonsons major pettigrew s last stand. But this delightful debut novel is as much a gently p. 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. Perhaps, after a brief glance at it, you suspect it s a little too charming, but instead of falling into the trap of simply glorifying life in a quaint english village, this book is full of many unpleasant characters, family problems and threats to the happiness of our protagonists. March 9, 2010 setinhisways retired british officer tentatively courts charming local widow of pakistani descent. Reviews of major pettigrew s last stand can be found though fireflys book blogs search engine.
So the major finds himself fighting a war on two fronts to save the family heirlooms, and win the ladys heart. Simonson paints a gorgeous picture of small village england and the people that live there. Helen simonsons first novel, major pettigrews last stand, may dutifully tick all those boxes, but its not just a simple reworking of a much. A book club is a reading group, usually consisting of a number of people who read and talk about books based on a topic or an agreedupon reading list.
Ali have been acquainted with one another for some time. Major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson random house november 2010 384pp the short of it. Major pettigrew s 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. A novel by helen simonson is a work of fiction and the authors debut novel. You can almost smell the road, the tea, the wet earth after a rainstorm. 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. Major pettigrews last stand is the first novel of britishborn american author, helen simonson. 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.
Some six years after the death of his wife nancy, it takes. 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. Helen simonson major pettigrews last stand youtube. 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. An escape to the english countryside was the perfect diversion from our unrelenting winter weather. Thankfully, none of us referred to the book as major pettigrew lives for a day, but we did conclude that a book with pettigrew in the title is probably a winner. Jan 04, 2011 major pettigrew s 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 richard and judy book club. Goodreads summarizes, you are about to travel to edgecombe st. Major pettigrews last stand was a pretty interesting discussion book and i do think most book clubs would find plenty to discuss. Major ernest pettigrew lives alone in the small village of edgecombe st. He also must contend with his grown son roger, a callow, materialistic.
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. Major pettigrews last stand reading group choices book. Blending tea and hearts on the first page of the first chapter of her first novel, major pettigrews last stand, helen simonson invites her readers to experience love at first sight. Mar 17, 2011 for the month of march, my book club decided to read major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson. With courting curmudgeons, wayward sons, religion, race, and real estate in a petty and picturesque english village, major pettigrews last stand is surprisingly, wonderfully romantic and fresh. Major pettigrew had been happily married to his wife, nancy, who died six years earlier. How would the book be different if it were told from roger s perspective. Major pettigrew s last stand a novel book club kit. 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. Ali, the town shopkeeper in the village of edgecombe st. Major pettigrew s last stand is a heartwarming, humorous and charming crosscultural love story.
I feel like i have reached the end of that rare kind of book that is widereaching in it s content, but deep enough to provoke the reader to consider how they might react to the various elements in it s unusual story line. And while the fact that the major characters are fifty plus may be beside the point, it is nevertheless refreshing to see that the aged and aging may have real lives. 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. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation. Full of charm and delightful in many ways, major pettigrew s last stand manages to entertain while dealing with some heavier themes. 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. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson first published. Major pettigrew s last stand summary major pettigrew s last stand.
Major pettigrew s last stand helen simonson, 2010 random house 384 pp. Because i tend to wait until the last minute to read my book club books, i already knew that most of the members of our group adored this book or. Richard and judy talk to helen simonson about her richard and judy book club title major pettigrew s last stand. Written with a delightfully dry sense of humour, major pettigrews last stand is a. Major ernest pettigrew retired lives in the charming english village of edgecombe st mary. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for an excellent light summer read. Written with a delightfully dry sense of humour and the wisdom of a born storyteller, major pettigrew s last stand explores the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of family obligation and tradition. I have just finished major pettigrew s last stand and was not disappointed. Major pettigrews last stand books richard and judy. Apr 22, 2010 it s funny all the different things people will take away from one good book. The food for major pettigrews last stand book club. Reading guide for major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson. 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 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 and his son.
The cover of major pettigrews last stand is from a 1924 issue of life magazine. Click here to read an extract of major pettigrews last stand. The major belongs to a nonintegrated golf club in their village and is girding himself for a messy battle with his sisterinlaw. Major pettigrews last stand, by helen simonson the. This novel is, essentially, a love story between a 68year old retired major ernest pettigrew and a 58year old pakistani shop keeper mrs. Its all about intelligence, heart, dignity and backbone. These book club discussion questions reveal important details about major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson. Part cultural commentary, part love story, the book is full of unforgettable characters whose charm.
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. Among them is major ernest pettigrew retired, the unlikely hero of helen simonsons wondrous debut. Major pettigrews last stand book club kit saint paul. Kudos to helen simonson, who distinguishes herself with major pettigrews last stand as a writer with the narrative range, stylistic chops, and poise of a veteran. Major pettigrew s last stand this dryly delightful debut novel is the most endearing love story ive read in a long time.
What sets this book apart is the brilliant writing. Helen simonson talks about major pettigrews last stand youtube. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson, paperback. Major pettigrews last stand helen simonson, 2010 random house 384 pp. Mary, a small village in the english countryside filled with rolling hills, thatched cottages, and a cast of characters both hilariously original and as.