Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

A Novel

By: Helen Simonson

Narrated by: Peter Altschuler

Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

You are about to travel to Edgecombe St. 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. Among them is Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired), the unlikely hero of Helen Simonson's wondrous debut. 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.

The Major leads a quiet life valuing the proper things that Englishmen have lived by for generations: Honor, duty, decorum, and a properly brewed cup of tea. But then his brother's death sparks an unexpected friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. Drawn together by their shared love of literature and the loss of their respective spouses, the Major and Mrs. Ali soon find their friendship blossoming into something more. But village society insists on embracing him as the quintessential local and her as the permanent foreigner. Can their relationship survive the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of culture and tradition?

©2010 Helen Simonson (P)2010 Random House

Wonderful

This is just a great listen. A good story, good humor and the narrator is excellent. I would like more from this author and narrator.

What a lovely book

I so much enjoyed this book. It passed the ultimate test of not wanting it to end, and hoping there was another one either before or after it. The author conjured that magical world - the one where the descriptions of the characters and the places become real. I am sure this would be so even in print, but what really made this book a joy to LISTEN to was the narrator, Peter Altschuler.
One of my criteria for listening to any audiobook is, obviously, how it reads aloud. Having just come off another book, by a different author and narrator, that was so poorly written and read ( I stuck with it out of sheer determination), this was such a great pleasure.
I hope Helen Simonson will write another book soon, and I will look for Peter Altschuler's marvelous voice on other recordings.

Major Pettigrew's last stand

Delighted listen... the story is so rich and believable and Simonson seems to transport the listener to
the Setting so you can be a part of the story, watching from a Bench by the sea maybe.
I highly recommend this read.
RRC

Beautifully written and narrated

"Gem" is the right word to describe this wry and witty novel of manners. The narration was perfect--adding just the right tongue in cheek tone to the taught dialogue and musing of a group of unforgetable characters. A feel-good novel that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. I highly recommend it!

Charming and a class act

Ahhh, The Major is a man of principle. Respectful in behavior; amusing in his insights and occasional misreading of social cues - particularly regarding women. He's one of those people/characters who, in their regard for decorum, seem stiff and judgmental - but the more you get to know him, the more his judgement is a code you admire. Simply, you grow to like and admire him - and his principles which are more substance than show. He's a genuine decent and insightful man. The ending was a bit over the top, but I enjoyed my time with Mr. Pedigrew and the cast of characters A welcome escape from the current culture of selfies and influencers. A long tasty simmer instead of a boiler that fizzles.

Dull in parts

I think the reviews for this book were higher than deserved. Some parts were funny, and I found myself smiling, but not enough to recommend to others. I felt this book was disappointing.

Give it a little time

How I feel about a given title is often related to what I previously read, or the events of my life. And I’m always influenced by how the characters feel. I had just finished a title where I found it hard to like or respect the characters, so I brought that sense with me as I began listening.
Good writing made me like these characters, as well as respecting their attitudes and actions. The story was relatable and genuine, as were the people. The Major really is a fine old git. It wasn’t deeply emotional or too thick in plot, but I felt interested and I laughed quite a few times, out loud.
The narrator was great, he so fully occupied the character as to be almost invisible. I mean that I felt like the Major was telling the story.

Another great book by Helen Simonson

Ms. Simonson is my new favorite author. I highly recommend anything she writes....alas, currently there are only two books...such a great combination of excellent writing, plotting, research providing versimulitude to the era in which she places her characters. This book is full of wry humor and wit while simultaneously educating and entertaining....

A beautifully written character.

This story was a beautiful look into many lives. The writing was so good that everyday occurences, common tasks took on new meaning. It's funny, poignant, thought provoking. It's hard to explain, but I loved the book and highly recommend it.

Endearing

A sweet story with a good message and some surprises along the way. Narration was fitting for the characters.