From the Bookshelf of 100+ Books in 2025…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is a wonderful comedy of manners in which the multiculturalism, rudeness and self absorption of the present collide with the stiff upper lip, rigid social consciousness and self absorption of the past as portrayed by Major Pettigrew and his son. As the realities of 2010 Britain creep relentlessly into a village stuck in a time warp of Empire and English superiority, the character of the characters in each group is revealed. Some evolve, some are hopelessly stuck and
...more
May 16, 2010
Jgrace
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
grief,
read-in-2010,
judithg,
relationships,
contemporary-fiction,
jgrace,
humor,
audio,
romance,
brit-lit
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand – Helen Simonson
3 stars
…..spoilers……..
Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired) is a bit of a 20th century throw-back. He has strong opinions about correct behavior and a distaste for much of popular culture. He is also a lonely widower who must now grieve the death of his only brother. Receiving little emotional support from his obnoxiously selfish son, Major Pettigrew finds himself attracted to the widowed Mrs. Ali, a local Pakistani shop keeper.
I wanted to like this book ...more
3 stars
…..spoilers……..
Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired) is a bit of a 20th century throw-back. He has strong opinions about correct behavior and a distaste for much of popular culture. He is also a lonely widower who must now grieve the death of his only brother. Receiving little emotional support from his obnoxiously selfish son, Major Pettigrew finds himself attracted to the widowed Mrs. Ali, a local Pakistani shop keeper.
I wanted to like this book ...more
When I finished this book, I kept having very visual images, and feeling that it would make a perfect TV drama/film. I enjoyed the story, including the ending, but on reflection feel that many of the characters were stereotypes, and though some developed over the novel, others didn't. Maybe my less than total enthusiasm is partly due to my own age?
...more
Sweet and funny. Loved it from start to finish. I would recommend it without reservation to anyone.
I wanted to like this book so much, and it was okay, but it just lacked something. Didn't go anywhere. Too slow going. I have to return it to the library, so I skimmed the last bit.
...more
Light and fun without being too flimsy. Lovely.
What an intelligent and beautifully written novel. Really enjoyed it. Very creative. If you have a family, it's a must read!
...more
Appeal factors/tags:
England
village
love story
elderly character
England
village
love story
elderly character
Mar 09, 2010
Laine
added it
Mar 10, 2010
Laura
marked it as to-read
Apr 18, 2011
Susan
marked it as to-read
Dec 25, 2011
Shelly
marked it as to-read
Sep 08, 2012
akaellen
marked it as to-read
Feb 10, 2013
Sharon
marked it as to-read
Apr 11, 2015
Vesra (When She Reads)
marked it as to-read
