Thursday, January 6, 2011

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Published March 2010 by Random House
358 pages
Source: the publisher and TLC Book Tours

Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired) is everything you would except from a gentleman who had served in the British army: proper, honorable, knows his place and expects you to know yours.  In the small village of Edgecombe St. Mary, where he has lived his whole life, the Major is beginning to notice small fissures in society.  In his own life, the changes are much more profound.  Major Pettigrew's brother, Bertie, has just died.  While the Major seems to genuinely grieve, he also seems to be equally concerned with what will happen with a gun his brother had, one of a matched set that the Major's father split up upon his own death but which he wanted reunited when anything happened to one of his sons.  The fact that his father split the guns has always gnawed at the Major and he is more than a little perturbed when his niece and his own son begin talking about reuniting the guns only because they will sell as a pair for a great deal of money.  Money the niece and son are wanting for themselves.

Roger, the Major's son, is nothing at all like the Major.  As a much beloved only child, the Major's wife spoiled him terribly and he has grown to become someone obsessed with climbing the ladder, particularly in business.  Since his wife's death, the Major in finding himself more and more estranged from Roger.  But now Roger and his American (god forbid) girlfriend, are trying to become a larger part of the Major's life and he's not very sure he likes that.

Bertie's death causes Major Pettigrew to begin questioning everything and to strike up a friendship with Mrs. Ali, the Pakistani widow who owns a village shop.  The two quickly grow closer, sharing their feelings about books, the loss of the spouses, and problems with their families.  But becoming friendly with a Pakistani, and a shopkeeper no less, causes quite a stir in the society the Major keeps and forces him to make some decisions about the kind of man he really wants to be.

Although Helen Simonson now resides in the United States, she is British and brings the village of Edgecombe St. Mary and his inhabitants to life. It is hard to believe that she is not also a man who once served in the British military as convincingly as she writes the character of the Major. But the greatest strength of the book is the way in which Simonson was able to write about the conflict in Major Pettigrew as he was forced to confront his own prejudices and faults.  It is a slow process, the proverbial "two steps forward, one step back" kind of change that is realistic but rarely seen in characters in books.

There were times in the book when I felt that Simonson fell back on stereotypes for her characters and the big climax was a bit far-fetched for me but I found the book utterly charming.  It played like a movie in my head and anytime that happens, I know I'm in possession of a book that will stay with me.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for including me on this tour!  For more reviews of this book, check out their site.

14 comments:

  1. I loved the character of the Major, and loved the humor, and yes, the Britishness!

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  2. I felt exactly the same way. Charming story but far-fetched ending and some parts were a tad melodramatic.

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  3. Lisa, I have this on my TBR list as must read ASAP! I've heard so many great things about this book and love that you called it charming (this is the type of read I want for the new year). Can't wait to get my hands on a copy and dive right in. Cheers!

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  4. I have read other reviews of this book that were positive as well, and think that your excellent summary makes it sound very intriguing. I had been worried that it would be a boring and dry book, but it sounds like that is not the case at all! Great review! I am glad to hear you liked it!

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  5. Major Pettigrew sounds like a wonderfully charming book and I know I will very much enjoy the inhabitants of Edgecombe St. Mary. And Major Pettigrew sounds extremely interesting particularly as he faces some less than happy truths about himself!

    Great review!

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  6. I loved this book! Thanks for the review. I'd already read it by the time I established my blog last year, but that didn't stop me recommending it every chance I get. This will make a great film too, if anyone ever gets around to making it. I kind of fell in love with the Major myself. ;)

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  7. I've heard this is a good one. Great review.

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  8. I borrowed this from the library a while back but found I just wasn't in the mood. I'll have to try it again at some other point.

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  9. I've read so many great reviews from other book bloggers and this is one that I want to read this year for sure..I love charming!

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  10. This one sounds very interesting indeed. And I love that cover too.

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  11. A helpful review. I would like to read this book.

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  12. I've been hearing a lot of really good things about this one. Glad you liked it despite the stereotypes--though sometimes I don't mind them so much when I'm reading. Just depends on the book.

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  13. I love it when a book is so good that you can ignore what would otherwise be flaws and just enjoy it! Thanks for being a part of this tour.

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  14. I loved the British humor and Major's character was right on cue! Would love a sequel to Mrs. Ali and the Major in the future.

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