From the Bookshelf of Retro Reads…

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Winifred Watson

Start date: March 1, 2018

Finish date: March 31, 2018

Discussion: Group Reads

Discussion leader: Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽

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What Members Thought

Apr 21, 2011 Hannah rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: comfort-books, 2011-reads

Rating Clarification: 3.5 Stars

This is a seriously old fashioned and charming adult fairy tale, and I mean that in the best way. Reading it is much like being transported into one of those classic black and white comedies starring Myrna Loy or Cary Grant; very stylish, slapdash and engaging, but with little substance. I feel that the recent movie adaptation added that much needed substance perfectly, which is why I'll classify the book version of Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day much like I do for ...more

19 likes · Like · see review

Feb 28, 2018 Judy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

After reading and enjoying many Persephone books, I was expecting a lot from their number one bestseller. However, I found myself a bit disappointed, and would have to say for me this is one of their weakest titles out of those I've read.

At the start, a poor, timid, middle-aged governess is sent by an agency to a prospective new job. After she knocks on a stranger's door in London, a series of comic misunderstandings see her being welcomed in by a kindhearted nightclub singer, Miss LaFosse. Wit ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Mar 06, 2018 Susan in NC rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Fun read! I thought I read this before, but turns out I only saw the movie - which I very much enjoyed!

I can see where this book lent itself well to being a movie, it allowed the fast pace and great characters to stay but tightened up some of the “clunky” scenes and dialogue, like Miss Pettigrew’s conversation with Tony at the cocktail party. That part seemed nonsensical to me; but I think the author captured the timeless portrayal of passionate, youngish Bohemians well - like one of those real ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Mar 21, 2018 Barb in Maryland rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

Charming, lovely, funny, poignant--what a delight!
Read with the GR Retro Reads group. Originally published in 1938 and a best-seller in its day.
Miss Pettigrew, a spinster of a certain age (she finally admits to 40), a governess by necessity, and definitely down on her luck, is sent by the employment agency(in error) to the apartment of a Miss LaFosse. For Miss Pettigrew, this is a life-changer. Miss Delysia LaFosse is young, glamorous, a night-club singer(!); she also has man problems. Miss Pett ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2022 Jackie rated it it was amazing

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars; a wonderful read. I see she's written other books but they are not available, sadly. I hope they get reprinted. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 05, 2010 Alexandra rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-on-audible, fiction, made-into-movies, read-in-2010, deserves-a-better-cover, kindle-too-high

Miss Pettigrew is part Mary Poppins, part Pygmalion/Cinderella. An enjoyable read with likable characters.

I saw the movie first, not realizing it was based on a book. The movie was one of those rare movies inspired by a book - it actually did justice to the story and was also quite fun.

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 18, 2025 CLM rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 20th-century, friendship, uk, fiction, governess, possible-book-group

This Cinderella story about a downtrodden governess will delight even the most cynical reader:

https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20... ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 09, 2010 Jodi rated it really liked it

Needing copious amounts of reading material for the summer, I decided to become more bold and search out books from the past that were popular. This way the material would be more likely to be clean and (no offense to authors today), but better written. If they are still available today then the books had to be to stand the test of time and whatnot. And I'm so tired of reading trash.

Anyway, I'm finding such wonderful books like Miss Pettigrew. My prudish side was a little scandalized with Miss L ...more

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