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. Mar 17, 2011 i found major pettigrew s last stand to be a sweet story and very charming, and i did think the cast of characters especially the major and mrs. Major pettigrews last stand audiobook by helen simonson. 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.
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. May 14, 2014 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. Major pettigrews last stand, by helen simonson the. Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers.
We have not met yet but i am looking forward to the discussion. The cover of major pettigrew s last stand is from a 1924 issue of life magazine. Amina says this, and it may apply to her, but it doesnt apply to the major at all. If you liked major pettigrews last stand, try these.
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. Major pettigrews last stand this dryly delightful debut novel is the most endearing love story ive read in a long time. With courting curmudgeons, wayward sons, religion, race, and real estate in a petty and picturesque english village, major pettigrew s last stand is surprisingly, wonderfully romantic and fresh. Books by helen simonson authors like helen simonson what. Goodreads members who liked major pettigrews last stand also. Major pettigrew s last stand this dryly delightful debut novel is the most endearing love story ive read in a long time. Funny, comforting and heartwarming, major pettigrew s last stand proves that sometimes, against all odds, life does give you a second chance. I had never heard of major pettigrew s last stand when it landed on my desk, but its opening scene hooked me. This article relates to major pettigrew s last stand. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson librarything. Major ernest pettigrew retired lives in the charming english village of edgecombe st mary.
Major pettigrews last stand is the first novel of britishborn american author, helen simonson. He had forgotten that grief does not decline in a straight line or along a slow curve like a graph in a childs math book. Mary, england, until his brothers death sparks an unexpected friendship with mrs. The perfect gentleman, but the most unlikely hero, the major must ask himself what matters most. The major struggles to find footing in his relationship with his adult son, roger. Maine, like major pettigrews last stand, is a tale of generational misunderstanding in which the elders voice has the last word, and it is not a pretty one.
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. That major pettigrews last stand opens at a moment of heartbreak has no sobering effect whatsoever. There is all the insularity and peculiarity of living in close quarters with. 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.
I read that major pettigrews last stand was set in a small village in england, and i didnt read any further before getting the book. Review of major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson. Apr 28, 2018 there are some books that i read and really dont want to write much about them. Since its recent paperback release, it seems that major pettigrew s last stand is everywhere.
Simonson paints a gorgeous picture of small village england and the people that live there. 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. Her characters etch themselves into your head and heart, lingering long after the last page has been savored. I did like the story and the characters, and i definitely can understand the appeal of this novel. A riveting, potentially redemptive story of modern american suburbia that reads almost like an ancient greek tragedy. Major pettigrew was still upset about the phone call from his brother s wife and so he answered the doorbell without thinking. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for an excellent light summer read. In her debut novel, major pettigrew s last stand, helen simonson crafts an enchanting tale, brilliant in its simple yet profound insight into human nature a light and crisp perfection. A novel by helen simonson is a work of fiction and the authors debut novel.
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. I found major pettigrew s last stand to be a sweet story and very charming, and i did think the cast of characters especially the major and mrs. An escape to the english countryside was the perfect diversion from our unrelenting winter weather. A graduate of the london school of economics and former travel advertising executive, she has lived in america for the last two decades. And major pettigrews last stand certainly does not disappoint. Or would roger have turned out the way he did no matter what. In helen simonsons hands, major pettigrews last stand is a story glowing with hope, optimism, and kindness. First impressions in major pettigrew s last stand can be deceiving. Find books like major pettigrew s last stand from the worlds largest community of readers. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read major pettigrews last stand.
Both are set in sussex, england, where i lived as a teenager. Ali at colonel prestons lodge, simonson writes that a pleasant glow, deep in his gut, was all that remained of a night. Mar 09, 2010 a riveting, potentially redemptive story of modern american suburbia that reads almost like an ancient greek tragedy. A longtime resident of brooklyn, she is married with two sons. The cops believe that abdul wahid may have played a part in it, but the major and jasmina know hed never hurt her. Major pettigrew s last stand helen simonson, 2010 random house 384 pp.
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. 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. The crazy great aunt with the knitting needles stabbed amina, and abdul wahid ran away with herthe crazy aunt, that is. You can almost smell the road, the tea, the wet earth after a rainstorm. Her debut novel, major pettigrew s last stand, was a ny times bestseller and was published in twenty one countries.
So youve finished reading a man called ove by fredrik backman and fallen in love with the. Helen simonsons major pettigrews last stand, my second read for the literary fiction category of the indie lit awards, is a quiet novel centering around family, expectation, grief, friendship and lateblossoming love. What sets this book apart is the brilliant writing. Helen simonson was born in england and spent her teenage years in a small village in east sussex. There is all the insularity and peculiarity of living in close quarters with a few families. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson random. Major pettigrews last stand, by helen simonson, and maine. Ali, brought together by their loneliness and love of literature. Major pettigrews last stand quotes by helen simonson. Jasmina ali, the pakistani shopkeeper from the village. Major pettigrew s last stand is a heartwarming, humorous and charming crosscultural love story.
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. Helen simonsons major pettigrews last stand the new. The major encompasses many endearing traits and his upstanding thoughts and actions make him a winner in my book. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson the new york. Im a huge fan of cranford and grantchester and so many lovely smallvillage stories that the bbc is so good at producing.
Mar 02, 2010 but village society insists on embracing him as the quintessential local and her as the permanent foreigner. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading major pettigrew s last stand. Reading guide for major pettigrews last stand by helen. Major pettigrew s last stand helen simonson, author. Major pettigrew s last stand posted on august 14, 2011 by helen simonson. Major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson falls into this category. She is a resident of brooklyn and has also lived in the washington, d. There are some books that i read and really dont want to write much about them. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson falls into this category. Find books like major pettigrews last stand from the worlds largest community of readers. 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. This novel is, essentially, a love story between a 68year old retired major ernest pettigrew and a 58year old pakistani shop keeper mrs.
Can their relationship survive the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of culture and tradition. When sixtytwoyearold science teacher edward schuyler is widowed, he finds himself ambushed by female attention. So the major finds himself fighting a war on two fronts to save the family heirlooms, and win the ladys heart. Major pettigrews last stand books richard and judy. The story details the life of major ernest pettigrew, a 68 year old widower living in edgecomb st. Buy a cheap copy of major pettigrew s last stand book by helen simonson. Helen simonson books list of books by author helen simonson. Major pettigrew s last stand offers an enlightening view of the divide between provincial and cosmopolitan, traditional and contemporary. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson booksplease.
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. Its funny all the different things people will take away from one good book. Like most other bloggers, i really enjoyed this charming, cozy novel. If youre a sucker for a protagonist thats a bit of a curmudgeon on the outside but a softie on the inside, youve most likely read a man called ove. And that means youre probably itching to read anything that will warm your heart like ove did, which is exactly why weve compiled a list of companion books for that fredrik backman favorite. Major ernest pettigrew is in his late sixties, a widower and is perfectly content living in the village of edgecombe st. Everyone is in everyone elses business and gossips about whoever is not there. Major pettigrews last stand by helen simonson book club.
Her second novel the summer before the war is also a ny times and international bestseller and is. Discuss the progressions of the characters you feel changed the most from the beginning of the book to the end. Apart from the wonderful characters and storyline, the book was so beautifully written. Major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson random. Part cultural commentary, part love story, the book is full of unforgettable characters whose charm will quickly win readers over. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation. If major pettigrews last stand is any indication, readers will enjoy simonsons writing for many years to come. The book started a bit slow but once i gave myself over to the story i really became engrossed and wanted to keep reading. Some six years after the death of his wife nancy, it takes. 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.
His life turns out exactly like a classic romantic novel, probably because major pettigrew s last stand is a classic romantic novel, in a modern sense. Goodreads members who liked major pettigrew s last stand also. How would the book be different if it were told from rogers perspective. Helen simonson is the new york times bestselling author of major pettigrew s last stand 2010 and the summer before the war 2016.
Major pettigrew s last stand these titles embrace central themes of major pettigrew s last stand including the difficult title of a widower but experiencing a second chance at love. Love reaching out across the cultural barriers always makes for a good tale. Handpicked recommendations to other books that have a similar writing style or theme to major pettigrews last stand. Jan 04, 2011 major pettigrew s last stand was just wonderful. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Handpicked recommendations to other books that have a similar writing style or theme to major pettigrew s last stand. Readers will enjoy white teeth and major pettigrews last stand for their character development and humor, along with lighthearted treatment of serious topics such as race relations, religious fanaticism, selfunderstanding, and similar aspects of modern english life. I had never heard of major pettigrews last stand when it landed on my desk.
I absolutely adored major pettigrew and all of his quirks, and i just found him to be so incredibly funny. 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. In 1936, tucked deep into the woods of troublesome creek, ky, lives blueskinned 19yearold cussy carter, the last living female of the rare blue people more. Helen simonson author of major pettigrews last stand. 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. As with the polished work of alexander mccall smith, there is never a dull moment. She attended university in london, then moved to the united states, where she has lived for more than three decades and is a citizen.
She was born in england and spent her teenage years in a small village near rye, in east sussex. See this post for the opening sentence, an extract from page 56 and the description on amazon the quotations on the back cover all praise this book as charming. It probably sounds like i didnt really enjoy this book, but thats not the case. 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. This edition contains a major pettigrew s last stand discussion guide. Its all about intelligence, heart, dignity and backbone. Grief is what it took to make the rigidly correct major notice mrs. 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. Alices reflections on her children and grandchildrens selffocused lives are as harsh as the majors, though not as funny. Among them is major ernest pettigrew retired, the unlikely hero of helen simonsons wondrous debut. Mar 07, 2010 helen simonsons first novel, major pettigrews last stand, may dutifully tick all those boxes, but its not just a simple reworking of a muchloved but faded literary standby. 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. 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.
Ali is certainly a central tenet of the plot, the novel seems to vibrate more. Major pettigrew s last stand npr coverage of major pettigrew s last stand by helen simonson. If you like major pettigrews last stand by crrlstaff july 17, 2018 major ernest pettigrew retired leads a quiet life in the village of st. 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.
Ali have been acquainted with one another for some time. And major pettigrews last stand does not disappoint. Dec 01, 2010 major pettigrew s last stand is a heartwarming, humorous and charming crosscultural love story. Instead, it was almost as if his body contained a big pile of. In her witty and wise debut novel, newcomer helen simonson introduces the unforgettable character of the widower major.