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A charming English comedy of manners—heavy on the charm, very heavy on the English. Simonson has quite the creation in Major Pettigrew (Ret.), and she does an excellent job peeling away the surface layers of his stuffy old-fashionedness to reveal the quiet humor, the essential goodness, and even the romantic streak underneath. The meeting of minds and blossoming romance between Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali, a local shopkeeper of Pakistani extraction, forms the emotional core of the book, and my
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Apr 02, 2017
Melinda Worfolk
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
2015-2019,
fiction,
book-club,
funny,
romance,
ask-a-manager-recs,
strong-women,
women-authors
I enjoyed this one. Slyly funny and doesn't shy away from portraying the clumsy racism that can come from exoticization of the "other." Some of the racist comments that come from the well meaning but ignorant villagers were so authentic they made me cringe.
It was nice to see an older couple (interracial no less) at the centre of a story. Not all the characters were more than caricatures, but I definitely liked the Major and Mrs. Ali, as well as Amina and Abdul Wahid and George.
I would really l ...more
It was nice to see an older couple (interracial no less) at the centre of a story. Not all the characters were more than caricatures, but I definitely liked the Major and Mrs. Ali, as well as Amina and Abdul Wahid and George.
I would really l ...more
Not great literature, but a really fun, interesting and engaging story with delightful characters. Major Pettigrew is a 68 year old widower living in a small English village. He believes in duty, honor, family, proper behavior, & a good cup of tea. He develops a friendship - & then more - with Mrs. Ali, the widow of the local shopkeeper - & a woman of Pakistani heritage. The Major perseveres despite his annoying yuppie son & his model girlfriend, assorted relatives of Mrs. Ali, & various village
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What a wonderful book! The "hero" is an aging widower living in a small village in England. He is a proper English major who follows all the rules of polite English society...until he finds himself falling for a woman in the village who is of Pakistani descent. Great writing, great characters, and just a pleasure to read. The dramatic climax was a little unnecessary and over-the-top, but in spite of that I absolutely loved the book!
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Very cozy and set in a town that you just want to fall in love with-but not quite as lovable as some. It does show bravery and love even in the face of racism and different classes of wealth. I liked the characters and the story I just didn’t find myself as emotionally invested. A little slow.
Nice senior romance between classic British gentleman and Pakistani widow. Also listened to the audio. Had issue with the reader's voice. Hate British accents that sound as if talking through clenched teeth. Read-a-like - Julie and Romeo by Jeanne Ray
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Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is peppered with painfully believable characters. I enjoyed reading the book very much, but at times it was difficult to keep reading because I was busy cringing. Although there were moments when the behavior of the characters seemed...so humiliatingly oblivious that it felt impossible, the characters never leapt out of the realm of possibility.
Despite the occassional "augh I can't watch this" moments (which never works as well with books as it does with movies)the ...more
Despite the occassional "augh I can't watch this" moments (which never works as well with books as it does with movies)the ...more
Thoroughly enjoyable. A great read and perfect for summer travel. Smart and amusing and touching.
Utterly charming tale of two people who defy societal and familial conventions and opinions to become friends, and maybe something more. I really enjoyed this book - though I didn't much care for many of the background characters who displayed the fact they were too stupid front and center. I did appreciate that some of those characters did redeem themselves (some more than others) by the end of the book. Lovely. I'm very glad I read this one.
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This novel is a gem. Beautiful imagery and metaphors, compelling characters, and good old fashioned English dry wit. I loved it.
Jan 22, 2010
Wealhtheow
marked it as to-read
Apr 03, 2012
Angie
marked it as to-read
Jun 09, 2012
Joy Lynne
marked it as to-read
Aug 15, 2024
Heather Jo
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May 04, 2025
Andrea
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