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Major Pettigrew's Last Stand


An enchanting tale, brilliant in its simple yet profound insight into human ...
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Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Created: 03/24/11

Replies: 51

Posted May. 23, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
guntak

Join Date: 10/20/10

Posts: 23

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

A marvelous story full of old world charm, well tended gardens, aromatic teas, exquisite manners and a bit of the stiff upper lip so well portrayed here. The important thread woven through this novel is that of love. Love in the autumn years, between two people who are of different cultures. Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali, both having lost their spouses, by all accounts, to a rather early death.

Their appreciation of classic literature, readings of Kipling while drinking tea from Meissen china. Walks in the garden and their support of each other in turbulent moments caused by the younger generation of their respective families. Then, of course, there are the Churchill guns. A Pettigrew heirloom of two generations, respected by Major Pettigrew as a family tradition but, seen by his son, as cash. There is also an out of wedlock child in Mrs. Ali's family. A very illustrious fruit salad of modern day ways of life laced with Major Pettigrew's high humor and civility. It is a very charming book, not easily put down. Brings to memory the values of another time, another, era. Makes me want to transport myself to Major Pettigrew's garden and enjoy his hospitality.


Posted May. 24, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bettyt

Join Date: 05/12/11

Posts: 228

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

This was an absolutely delightful and charming book. I enjoyed the slow development of the book -- along with the slow courtship between the Major and Mrs. Ali. I loved the shyness of the Major and how their relationship blossomed. How he knew when not to let a good thing get away from him. Extra spice was added to the story with Sandy and Roger; Abdul Wahid, Amina, and George. I have already recommended this book to an Iraqi friend in Baghdad. She enjoyed books that encompass a "world view". After describing this book, she says it sounds realistic and is eager to read it if she can find a copy of it there. My book group at my Temple is also reading it this month.


Posted May. 27, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianes

Join Date: 05/16/11

Posts: 68

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Enjoyed this bool immensely. As I was reading it I kept thinking what a wonderful PBS comedy it would make, with the Major and Mrs. Ali as well as the other great characters in this novel. The village itself is somewhere I could see myself visiting. The depths of the characters and the way that the different layers of their characters are revealed is what kept me reading.


Posted Jun. 01, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janen

Join Date: 06/01/11

Posts: 54

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

This is a book that I fell in love with, and I did not expect to! The characters are so well written that I felt as if I knew them personally. I agree with many of the posts, the story is warm and compelling. I loved the romance, especially a seond chance at romance..


Posted Jun. 03, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
phyllisr

Join Date: 05/04/11

Posts: 5

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I resisted this book at first because everyone seemed to love it. That to me usually means a book that won't appeal to me. When I finally read it, I loved it too! The characters were interesting with believable challenges and the writing was exquisite. The main villian seemed to be "what others think" or society, usually to be resisted in real life. A most enjoyable read, with very little angst.


Posted Jun. 13, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
annar

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 114

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Because I love all things British, I looked forward to reading this book. I loved it and my book group is going to discuss it this month. It is a great story and I could just "see" the characters.


Posted Jun. 13, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Lea Ann

Join Date: 04/20/11

Posts: 99

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I very much enjoyed Major Pettigrew and his last stand. He was kind, brave and showed that he could be a "proper Englishman," while also being open to new ideas. He showed he was not as closed minded as his neighbors might have thought, and have been themselves. His relationship with Mrs. Ali was as it should have been for their ages and situtations; no hanky panky, just growing respect and caring for each other. All in all a most satisfactory book, IMO.


Posted Jun. 13, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susanne

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 5

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I enjoyed the book very much. I love things English and found the Major someone I would like to meet. My book club read and discussed this book several months ago and also enjoyed.


Posted Jun. 13, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
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pennyn

Join Date: 10/21/10

Posts: 23

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I really enjoyed this book, perhaps because I am of an age and of a certain mindset that I understood all the dynamics, yet knew everything could work out. Loved Maj. Pettigrew and and Mrs. Ali. I have found out the life always brings you to a point where YOU are a stranger in a strange land. Looking, listening and smiling all help...but perhaps patience makes it work. I thought WOW I could be Mrs. Ali. How fun to now read a book that's about people my age. Hurray!!!!


Posted Jun. 13, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dorothym

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 37

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I loved this book. I thought the words the author put in his mouth were delightful. Loved the issues with the younger generation and thought the class issues were accurately portrayed. This was the book I recommended to everyone the year it came out when they just wanted to read a book for pure enjoyment.


Posted Jun. 15, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janeh

Join Date: 06/15/11

Posts: 222

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Just delightful! I am probably one of the few people who didn't enjoy the "Guernsey" book. So although what I had read about the book intrigued me, I kept sticking it in the bottom of my reading pile. Finally, a friend who has the same reading tastes as I do recommended I bring it up out of the pile. I was so glad she did. A very different read from my normal tastes but the writing was fun and the characters memorable.


Posted Jun. 30, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joans

Join Date: 06/30/11

Posts: 4

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I enjoyed the book thoroughly. Several readers have compared it to the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Another book this reminded me of was Birds of East Africa by Drayson (Nicolas I think). It too is a story of a widower and his attraction to a woman of a different ethnicity. It is a little more humorous, however, involving a rival and a contest. There is also a club dance that is the climax. Anyone who enjoyed Major Pettigrew would enjoy Birds...


Posted Jul. 04, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
shellyb

Join Date: 07/04/11

Posts: 16

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

It took me a while to warm up to Major P. He was too prim and proper for me. but as the book went along I warmed up to him and to Mrs. Ali. He evolved and realized, (on some level, a little too late) some of his faults, especially as it related to his son. Overall, I enjoyed the book. Although it is far from my favorite,I did like it. I read it for my neighborhood book club. If it were not for that fact I might not have finished it, but I'm happy i did. I'm looking forward to my book club in a few weeks.


Posted Jul. 16, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Jan Mays

Join Date: 07/16/11

Posts: 13

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I loved the book. I recently reviewed it for my book club and we had a great discussion. We were very impressed by the ability of the author to paint word pictures. I had chosen several passages that were particularly descriptive and had one of the members read them aloud. We were all in stitches by the time she finished her very dramatic reading of fight scene at the big party. We could all picture in our minds those pompous old goats swinging fists at each other.


Posted Nov. 27, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lynnw

Join Date: 09/01/11

Posts: 166

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

This was a joy to read and it had some relavance to it. Beautiful writing and a well thought out story line.


Posted Dec. 10, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
francoiseh's Gravatar
francoiseh

Join Date: 11/17/11

Posts: 4

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

A few weeks ago, I was very much influenced in reading this book after having enjoyed so much the most delectable comments mostly from PaulaK and from many others about it being a most feel good readind which was just what I needed at that point!
I mostly enjoyed it and it did make me feel good most of the time, it also annoyed me a little sometimes, unfortunately…
Despite its feel good overall quality, this book also deals with serious matters almost in a shallow way, to my own slight dissatisfaction, I must admit to; I enjoyed the superior quality of the writing, the subtle wit, the British ironic humor, the endearing characters…
I was also gnawed by the unpleasant sensation of being overly “charmed” right thru the end with its superfluous unrealistic climax!


Posted Jan. 19, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gracie

Join Date: 01/16/12

Posts: 6

RE: Overall, what did you think of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Two adjectives come to mind: charming and quaint. I enjoyed the "tension" in this book between Major Pettigrew and his son and found the descriptive relationships of characters in the" class system" to be quite accurate. My husband was born in Britain and also absolutely enjoyed this novel.


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