Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (Thorndike Reviewers’ Choice)
You are about to Edgecombe St. Mary , a small village in the English countryside filled with rolling hills, thatched houses and a hilarious cast of characters, both original and as familiar as the members of his own family. Among them is Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired), the unlikely hero of the wonderful debut Helen’s Simonson. Wry, courtly, self-righteous and absolutely lovable, Major Pettigrew is one of the indelible character in contemporary fiction, and from the first page of this remarkable novel, it is your heart. steal
The Major leads a quiet life evaluation of the actual things that the British have lived for generations: honor, duty, propriety, and a well-brewed cup of tea. But then his brother’s death sparks an unexpected friendship with Ms. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. Drawn Together by their common love of literature and the loss of their spouse, the Major and his wife Ali soon their friendship blossomi Rating: 
List Price: $ 30.99 Price: 30 , 99 $
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Review by Jill I. Shtulman for Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (Thorndike Reviewers’ Choice)
Rating:
It is always cause for celebration when a debut author bursts on the scene with an original and whimsical novel that is bound to capture attention. And this novel — Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand — has much to recommend it.
Major Pettigrew is a very proper and delightfully droll widower of 68 who resides in the quaint village of Edgecombe St. Mary in Sussex, England. He is the father of Roger, a posturing and preening young man who has incorporated none of the values of his dad. And he is also the accidental suitor of the proprietress of the village mini-mart, Jasmina Ali, a 50-something Pakistani widow who shares his love of Kipling and his wry look at the world in which they both reside. The two of them — the quintessential local and the attractive outsider — must navigate the gossip and outright prejudice of their stilted society. Helen Simonson writes, “He (the Major) had always assumed gossip to be the malicious whispering of uncomfortable truths, not the fabrication of absurdities. Was a life of careful, impeccable behavior not enough in a world where inventions were passed around as facts?”
This is by no means “chick lit”, nor is it hard-hitting politically correct narrative, couched in fiction. It is a charming English comedy of manners — in places, a laugh-out-loud comedy. A scene, for example, where the atrocities of Pakistani Partition are reduced to a bad-taste dinner show or where the favored ducks of schoolchildren are chosen as prey for a duck hunt are satirical and spot-on.
Yet despite its gentle humor, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand touches on many of the big issues: the clash of culture and religions, the greed of unbridaled globalization, the tension between fathers and sons…and families in general. At its heart, though, it is an old-fashioned love story. I couldn’t help but stand by the sidelines rooting for the Major and his lady and keep my fingers crossed for their eventual coupling. The book is an ode for anyone who refuses to give up on life or love at any stage of life. For those who love the charm of the “Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”, you’re in for yet another treat.
Review by Cilla for Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (Thorndike Reviewers’ Choice)
Rating:
I got this as an advanced reading copy from the Amazon Vine program, and didn’t know anything about it except the brief synopsis from the Vine newsletter. I am fond of reading “gentle” novels that take the reader into the hearts and lives of people in a community, and this novel didn’t disappoint me. It has a slow start, but builds up to the point where you can’t put it down because you just have to know what happens next. It is a combination of romance, a comedy of manners, a statement on prejudice, a look at family and community relationships, and a reaffirmation that love is ageless. The hero, Major Pettigrew, is widower in his 60′s who has become complacent about his quiet existence as a retired Army officer. He is shocked out of his routine by the sudden death of his only brother. He has known the heroine, Jasmina Ali, for quite some time as the wife and then widow of Pakistani shopkeeper in his community. As the Major and Jasmina become closer due to their shared griefs and their common interests, both of them are challenged to look at their own world views and to face the discrimination and shallowness of some of their friends and relatives. There is a nice chemistry between the hero and the heroine. When they become physically intimate, it is done in the “now dear reader, we will close the bedroom door” type of approach, which is fitting for the type of novel that it is. Although the novel isn’t religious in tone, the characters and the style reminds me favorably of Jan Karon’s Mitford series of novels. That is why I am hoping that the author has more novels about the little English community that is home to the Major and Jasmina. I want to know what happens next. I am a picky reader when it comes to writing style and I particularly like the way that the author handles prose and dialogue. She uses similes and other literary techniques judiciously–just enough but not too much. One example that sticks out in my mind was her description of an elderly Pakistani couple as having the symmetry of two wrinkled halves of a walnut. Very descriptive, and not something I’ve read before. While there are some underlying political, religious, and moral issues in this novel, the author doesn’t force the reader to take sides. The novel reflects that there is a lot that is uncertain in life, and that “good” people can make mistakes and continue to grow. There is a bit of suspense and action in the novel, but it is mainly character-driven, which is my favorite type of novel. I didn’t want the book to end. The mark of a good book, in my opinion, is whether or not I would want to re-read it, and this book is definitely going on my “keeper shelf,” hopefully to be joined by more books by this author in the future.
Review by P. B. Sharp for Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (Thorndike Reviewers’ Choice)
Rating:
“Last Stand” is a wondrous novel- a debut by author Simonson written with extraordinary insight and with vivid crackling descriptions so apt you’ll find yourself reading slowly so you won’t miss any of them. Wry and witty, the book is frequently hilarious and I often laughed so hard the tears were running down my face. The ending of this love story will leave you with a feeling of contentment but most of all the book is a paean to the human spirit that will warm the shackles of your heart.
The novel takes place in the little English village of Edgecombe St. Mary and the prejudices, and race and religious intolerances endemic in a small town are alive and well.
Major Pettigrew, a pukka sahib if there ever was one, is the endearing hero and he finds an unusual soul- mate in Jasmina Ali. The Major has a clipped grey mustache and twinkling blue eyes, and Mrs. Ali. who is Pakistani, has shiny black hair coiled into a bun and her dark brown eyes don’t miss a thing. Seemingly yin and yang are these two- seemingly. Under the surface they discover a huge rapport. The Major and Mrs Ali are both widowed; the Major has an obnoxious son, Mrs. Ali has an obnoxious nephew. But it’s their love of literature that really bonds them together as well as the fact they are both kind, caring individuals with fine senses of humor bubbling just beneath the surface.
The story is not sentimental or mawkish, it’s sparkling and lively. True love will find a way but there are many thorns along this particular rocky path and the book builds up to a crescendo of a climax while you the reader are terrified something awful is going to happen to either the Major or Mrs. Ali.
To make yourself just feel good and indulge in a good laugh, grab this charming book! You’ll love it, trust me!
Review by Carol A. Sym for Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (Thorndike Reviewers’ Choice)
Rating:
Helen Simonson has written a delightful debut novel , part love story ,part comedy of social manners. Set in the very proper English countryside of Edgecomb St Mary, we meet a cast of characters who come to life in a charming,sometimes hilarious , sometimes serious way. Major Pettigrew and Mrs Ali are two main characters who will captivate the reader. The Major’s utterly proper facace hides a teddy bear of sweetness and compassion , while Mrs Ali’s delicate ,quiet grace hides a rock solid core of strength and conviction. The two are drawn together despite the impropriety of the different class and culture divides. They share a love of literature, quiet country pleasures and common decency. Their unlikely romance tests the village’s true feelings about multiculturalism and acceptance of those who are foreign or of a different class. The issues of urbanization,class distinction,family loyalty, greed,and religious differences are all explored in a humorous ,tongue in cheek way. The generational and cultural clash that puts honor and traditional values to the test make for a wonderful read. In a world rife with decaying morals and overly materialistic values Major Pettigrew and Mrs Ali are wonderful breaths of fresh air. Kudos to Helen Simonson for a “MAJOR” success!!!
Review by Pushing 60 for Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (Thorndike Reviewers’ Choice)
Rating:
Having read other reviews I wasn’t sure if this book would be my “thing.” Now that I’ve just finished it, I’m surprised that indeed it was. Had I known the plot ahead of time I doubt that I would have taken the time to read it. What was so appealing? Major Pettigrew is plain and simply a nice man who is lonely and inadvertently stumbles upon love after his wife dies. Sounds dreary and sappy but the story is anything but. In a very small way it reminded me of Jan Karon’s Mitford series with its cast of characters and detailed descriptions of small village/small town life. Read it on your Kindle or buy and take it to the beach…you won’t be disappointed!