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

sweet funny thought provoking

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this it was well written. It was very funny in a clever way . It really challenged the Subtle issues of Prejudice where people don't think they are being prejudiced

Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Much like our lovably, stubbor main character, I fear my words are lost in committee!

Charming book with an excellent narrator

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is a finely-textured comedy of manners concerning a retired English gentleman's growing affection for a Pakistani widow amid his attempts to cope with the current generation's departure from the proper British ways he learned in childhood and the family conflicts surrounding his brother's death. Although the author provides a sensitive look at the culture clashes that inevitably result, she does so without being preachy or intolerably politically correct. The narrator's plummy accent is perfect for the upperclass Major Pettigrew, but he is also quite adept at giving each of the other characters a distinctive and believable voice. An excellent book if you like a rather slow pace and dry English wit.

Absolutely Charming!

This book is a bit lighter than my usual fare, but I was absolutely charmed by it. If I lived in Edgcumbe-St.-Mary, I think I'd be in love with the major, too. It's the gentle tale of a widowed retired major who is grieving for his recently-deceased brother when friendship blooms with Mrs. Ali, the widow of a Pakistani shopkeeper. Friendship inevitably turns into stronger affection--but what will the members of the club say (let alone the major's son, a broker schmoozing his way up the corporate ladder)? And will the major ever succeed in reuniting a pair of Churchill shooters given to his father by a maharaja and divided between his sons at his death? Much of the novel centers on conflicts between the "older generation" values of the major and the new values of "progress." Mrs. Ali, too, has conflicts with her own beliefs and the traditional Islamic values of her husband's family. But all is not so serious--particulary due to Major Pettigrew's wonderful wit (which often goes over the heads of others) and some delightfully comic scenes.

One of the best

Suprisingly well written with a lead character who I'd normally despise but has such a sharp view of the world you can't but help like him

Engaging.

Loved the book - narrator's accents weren't quite up to par but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book.

Charming, excellent narration

This book is a story of unexpected love, a love that comes along gradually and later in life to Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali, a widow whose husband ran the local village shop. The way their friendship unfolds, the common interest in books, small kindnesses, and finally a blossoming attraction and romance is completely compelling. The viewpoints of those around them, ranging from awkward discomfort to absolute horror at the impropriety of it all can be both funny and sad, but is always believable. You will find yourself rooting for the prim and proper Major and the kind and brave Mrs. Ali. I enjoyed this book tremendously and the narration, both accents and just the attitude of different characters was excellent.

Excellent story

I loved this book from beginning to end. The charming, interesting characters made each chapter exciting. There was warmth and love in this book. I highly recommend it.

A Really Charming Book

What a nice book. It was a little slow getting started and then all of a sudden, I was caught up. If you're of a "certain" age this book will really speak to you. It's the kind of book that makes you smile and somethimes laugh out loud but also say, "I understand". Charming is a good way to describe Major Pettigrew's Last Stand! I recommend it to everyone of that "certain" age.

Delightful!

Full of humor, insights into human nature, and timeless issues. Peter Altschuler narrates the story with great charm and appeal.