Major Pettigrew's Last Stand Audiobook By Helen Simonson cover art

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

A Novel

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Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

By: Helen Simonson
Narrated by: Peter Altschuler
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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? Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Multicultural World Literature Friendship Village Heartfelt Feel-Good Funny Witty

Critic reviews

"In the noisy world of today it is a delight to find a novel that dares to assert itself quietly with the lovely rhythm of Helen Simonson's funny, comforting, and intelligent first novel—a modern day story of love which takes everyone, grown children, villagers, and the main participants, by surprise—as real love stories tend to do." —Elizabeth Strout

“I love this book. Courting curmudgeons, wayward sons, religion and race and real-estate in a petty and picturesque English village–Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is surprisingly, wonderfully romantic and fresh. Unsentimental, intelligent and warm, this endlessly amusing comedy of manners is the best first novel I’ve read in a long, long time.” —Cathleen Schine, author of The Love Letter and The New Yorkers

"This irresistibly delightful, thoughtful, and utterly charming and surprising novel reads like the work of a seasoned pro. In fact, it is Simonson's debut. One cannot wait to see what she does next."—Library Journal, starred review

"The real pleasure of this book derives . . . from its beautiful little love story, which is told with skill and humor. . . . That love can overcome cultural barriers is no new theme, but it is presented here with great sensitivity and delicacy. . . . As for happy endings, [the book] deserves all available prizes."–New York Times Book Review

"Funny, barbed, delightfully winsome storytelling… As with the polished work of Alexander McCall Smith, there is never a dull moment but never a discordant note either…[the book’s] main characters are especially well drawn, and Ms. Simonson makes them as admirable as they are entertaining…It’s all about intelligence, heart, dignity and backbone. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand has them all." – New York Times

"When depicted by the right storyteller, the thrill of falling in love is funnier and sweeter at 60 than at 16…With her crisp wit and gentle insight, Simonson is still far from her golden years…but somehow in her first novel she already knows just what delicious disruption romance can introduce to a well-settled life." –Washington Post
Charming Love Story • Well-developed Characters • Witty Humor • Cultural Insights • Engaging Plot • Expressive Reading

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This is a humorous, gentle well-written comedy of manners, nothing trite about it. There's no angst or violence or silly bodice ripping. Although a light read, it's still in touch with reality ( especailly that of "polite" prejudice of many kinds). The novel can say that you're never too old for love without sounding like a hallmark card. Reading this novel won't change your life, but it sure can brighten up a gloomy day or soothe the progress of a head cold. May the author write on and on. (Note if you dislike a Brit character who feels "assaulted by American vowels," this may not be for you - there are lots of pride and prejudices in all the lovely, flawed characters.)

The world needs more novels like this

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I enjoyed this book; learning the mores and practices of this class of society was very enlightening -- as well as all their prejudices. The reader was very expressive, and the author was very insightful in describing these complex relationships.

Very Interesting!

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Had the narrator not underlined the humor so emphatically I would have enjoyed this novel more - it came highly recommended and I had high expectations. I enjoyed the story, but the reading was too broad for my taste.

Too broad for my taste

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The dry, witty comments of Major Pettigrew as he watches cultures, class status, generations, genders, traditions and values collide over a cup of tea make this a delightful book. Honestly, my husband wouldn't listen to 5 minutes, but I enjoyed watching the Major reluctantly evolve. Insightful writing.

I liked it, but surprised so many others do too...

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Ostensibly, this is a senior love story, but it is much,much more. Major Pettigrew, and he insists upon the honorific, is a stogy widower in a remote English village who is forced to come to terms with a spoiled, ladder-climbing son, a widowed Pakistani merchant, the death of his brother, radical change in his beloved town, a sullen young Muslim, the annual play put on by his elite club, and his own pretensions.

The author writes crisply, empathically, and makes us care for her characters. She allows us, along with the Major, to question our values and dares us to make the decisions that, while not popular, make us happy.

A Major Success

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