A Used Book Sale find, this next one was a book I grabbed based on it’s cover (which I do with literally every book I read, so…). When I opened it to read it, I knew nothing more than what the picture on the cover looked like. I don’t actually usually do that. But alas, book 35…
Book 35:
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand
by Helen Simonson
Genre:
Romance Novel, Fiction
Published:
2010
Synopsis According to Mandi:
Without spoilers, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is the story of retired, widowed Major Ernest Pettigrew who lives a quiet, ordinary life in the English countryside until a friendship blossoms between him and widowed shopkeeper, Mrs. Ali. The Major, Mrs. Ali and the community around them are forced to consider the consequences of crossing racial and class divides, breaking culture and tradition.
Favorite Quote(s):
“I probably should get a dog. No one thinks dog owners are crazy, even if they walk out in their pajamas.”
-Helen Simonson, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand“‘It’s funny, isn’t it?’ she said in a quiet voice. ‘A couple may have nothing in common but the color of their skin and the country of their ancestors, but the whole world would see them as compatible.’”
-Helen Simonson, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand“Can the bleakest of circumstances be pushed aside for a few hours by the redeeming warmth of a fire and the smell of a dinner roasting in the oven?”
-Helen Simonson, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand“We, who can do anything, we refuse to live our dreams on the basis that they are not practical. So tell me, who is to be pitied more?”
-Helen Simonson, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand
Awards (based upon my brief research):
Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction
Goodreads Choice Awards Best Debut Goodreads Author
Pages:
355
My Overall Rating:
2 – As mentioned, I went into this one blind. I didn’t know much about the story at all. I came out of it seeing the potential in the plot, but I don’t think Simonson tapped into that potential deep enough. It was a great overall story. The themes are timeless. However, it moved so slowly, often included an unnecessary amount of detail and there were so many typos I questioned whether I was reading an Advanced Reader’s Copy or not – I was not.
