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 … 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?
BONUS: This edition contains a Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand discussion guide.
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I loved everything about this book. If you need an inspirational, charming, romantic read, this one’s for you.
I never thought a book about an old guy could be so endearing. It’s sweet and funny, but also tackles some serious issues. I really enjoyed it.
I listened to this book and I think the narrator made it particularly enjoyable to me. I’m not sure I would have got the nuances of what was being said without his droll interpretation of the words. I loved (and hated) some of the characters, but I found myself drawn to Major Pettigrew even though I didn’t think I would at the start. It is nice …
A delightful read. Lots of unpredictable switches. A story well suited to for mature readers with ‘generational’ issues.
Best book!! Read it twice!!
I loved this book, it takes place in a small english village, traditions and attitudes are changing and being challenged. The characters are cosy, I did not want to put it down.
Loved this book! This book made me want to try to write my own story. Simonson is a very talented writer!
Not only did I enjoy reading about the slow-to-blossom romance between retired, straight-laced Major Pettigrew and the widowed shopkeeper Mrs. Jasmina Ali, but I also enjoyed how author Helen Simonson wove potential cross-cultural speed bumps throughout and detailed how the two lovebirds overcame them.
Loved this book. A feel-good, everyday-life sort of story that keeps you reading on. Felt like I was part of this village of people, just listening in. Great story I highly recommend to everyone.
Terrific book
I’m so glad I got this book. Great writer
To tell of the cultural differences of two individauls attracted to each other was very very well done. I was encouraged and inspired by the author’s descriptions of life in a small English village and the hurdles that cultural ignorance and bias can bring. I completely enjoyed this read and cheered for the perseverance of the characters.
This book takes a good look at the poor job most societies do in integrating immigrants into our societies. The things we do to denigrate them, block them from belonging and the assumptions we make about each other are well handled in this book. Two unlikely people break through those assumptions to find the human heart in the other. It’s a well …
Amazing way of telling a story AND it is based on fact.
Very sweet story. There are a few plot surprises for the reader, but it was believable. Nice cozy, entertaining story
Wonderful book about a man whose world gets a little shaken by crossing cultural lines.
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson is a slow-paced charming book, but not for readers who want action and scenes to move quickly. This will probably be difficult to read for those who are used to quick sound bites and get bored easily.
Major Pettigrew is unlike anyone I know, which made him interesting. The characters and dialogue are …
If you loved “A Man Called Ove” or “The Little Paris Bookshop”, you’ll fall head over heels for Major Pettigrew.
Excellent writing
I would give this book 3 1/2 stars if I could. I could not stand the character of the son, which I guess was the point. I couldn’t see a military person putting up with him.