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

The Major and Mrs. Ali

Overall, a good story. I grew to adore the Major.
The story added a plot twist towards the end that seemed to have been shoved in. Other than that, it's a sweet book about a man and woman taking a chance on friendship and love.

Like a familiar village and cast!

Superb storytelling and characterizations! After a couple of heavy books I wanted a boxy one to finish the summer. It was perfect, but not too cozy and cutesy. So much more than I expected! I hope there’s a sequel. The Major is a wonderful character. Love English village stories and this was a cut above. Narrator was absolutely brilliant!!

LOVED It!

I generally don't enjoy "English humor" so was hesitant to choose this audio, however, the great reviews persuaded me--I am so glad I listened. The narrator was perfect in portraying the nuances of each character. I felt like I was present with the characters and, at times I was actually laughing out loud. It was sweet and funny- an unexpected jewel!

charming british novel, old fashioned yet timeless

Charming and real, with that dry British humor. Sustained my interest throughout, a good cozy book. Excellent narration.

This goes on my once-a-year list

This is a book that I will enjoy listening to or reading in print again and again. Characters that start out with a P.G. Wodehouse sort of charm turn out to have quite a bit of depth. The use of language is inspired and the narrator is top notch.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

This book was recommended to me by my elderly mother in law's book club. I certainly did enjoy entering Major Pettigrew's world. I found the book hard to put down and looked forward to picking it up. The reader was superb, a real talent and joy to listen to,

Entertaining, wistful, and tragicomic

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Ms Simonson has written a paen - to the life of small English villages, to the tragic, comical, and sometimes horrid circumstances of growing old, family life, and she does it gently. Snobbery, religiosity, and prejudice are dealt cunning blows, with warmth and affection. The text is enhanced by the recitation of Peter Altschuler. Rather than descend into "Colonel Blimp"ness, he spurs the listener's sympathy for the ageing major, as he deals with his obnoxious, spoiled son Roger, wacky neighbour Alice, and whiny sister-in-law Marjory. The growing affection and love of Major Pettigrew for Mrs Ali and vice-versa are tenderly voiced.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand?

There were many. Ms Simonson's description of Mrs Ali, dressed for the ghastly golf club party, and of the rather silly party itself, were vivid and juicy. The pain of Mrs Ali as she endures the prejudice of the Khans and the Sussex villagers at the dance are softly described, leaving it for the listener to slowly become aware of the petty nastiness within so many village breasts.

Have you listened to any of Peter Altschuler’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard Mr Altschuler before, but having heard him in this performance, I will look for other books in which he recites.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

There was so much depth and complexity in Ms Simonson's writing, I deliberately broke it into pieces. I didn't want to lose a morsel due to distraction.

Any additional comments?

Compared to this book, most NYT bestselling fiction isn't worth the paper it's printed on or the electrons that move in an audible version.

Wonderful book: perfect reader

This is a great story-so much fun, but with a world or serious issues hidden in plain sight.
The reader is perfect. He captures the Major's peculiar, lovable combination of curmudgeonliness and goodness to the T. He does accents well, but without that overdone, intrusive insistence that always gets on my nerves (I, too, am curmudgeonly).

You never know what anyone else will like, but I've recommended this to everyone I know who reads.

Delightful!

This was a delightful story, the Major is such a charming gentleman trying to come to terms with getting older and ending some of the “proper” things he is used to. I really enjoyed the blossoming relationship with Mrs. Ali who is a Pakistani shop keeper although she was born and raised in England the people of the town don’t see her that way as the major soon finds out.

This was almost like a coming of age story but in an older very British man. This was such an interesting love story and for the Major to “see” his peers and friends in a whole new light and in turn seeing himself too. The Major’s son Roger had me mad a few times he’s a pompous git.

I just found this a great story it is all about the characters there’s no murder, no fantasy, just a wonderful group of characters beautifully written.

I think if you liked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society give this one a try!

One of my all-time favorites

The story and the performance are equally matched in this audiobook. I could not stop listening, but was so sad when it was over. The tears in my eyes were from laughter, though. Definitely listen to this!