Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I haven't been enjoying romance books for some time. And it's not that I've never liked them, I used to enjoy them very much. I keep trying though. I thought that perhaps it's that I prefer stories where the main protagonist is an interesting woman and more of a plot than just falling in love. (chick-lit)

But now I realize, I'm looking for older people falling in love! (I'm 62.) I absolutely adored this book!

Delightful character development and a thought provoking characterization of bias and it's relationship to social pressure, social standing, and social norms. There is lots to consider and enjoy in this book and it feels like you could read it a couple of times and find more to consider and think about.

My only complaint is that Simonson's endings of both her books have felt a little rushed given the pace of the rest of the book. The climax seems overdramatic and the falling action truncated. This one less so than her other, but still felt as though it was attempting to be a bit overdramatic and compacted into a short period of time.

Ah, quite enjoyable. Starts a bit slow — like Olive K — but worth the wait. May be a bit tidy, but lovely escape with some serious theme too.

A delightful light read with serious undertones. The major is a fun, conservative character with a warm heart who takes a long time to stand up for who he believes in ;-) But all is well in the end, discrimination and peer group pressure notwithstanding.

In the vein of Alexander McCall Smith, but a bit more substantial.

I especially love the way Simonson draws the relationship between father and son. Bittersweet.

An enjoyable read, with memorable characters and the complications of a relationship across cultures. I thought the story thread about the guns was a bit annoying for most of the book, but it turns out to play prominently in the climax.

Loved the writing in this book ... well-developed characters and a lovely story.

A perfect gentle book for a long drive.Set in Sussex but could be any English village. Replete with stereotypes but deftly avoids the heaviness that usually accompanies all the English village clichés.

Absolutely lovely. In a British way, all prim and proper, and hard sometimes, but just ... bloody lovely. Basically, it is not even the story, although it is sweet (the major of the title is a widower and retired, at 68, and ends up getting together with a Pakistani lady because both love literature, among other things), but the way it is told.
It made me miss England. Even in the winter.

I loved the Major's dry wit and rooted for him and Mrs. Ali throughout the story. I enjoyed the romance being played out without any of the sap. Major Pettigrew is one smooth gentleman; his son Roger could stand to learn a thing or two from dear old dad. Both sets of grandparents passed away when I was very young – I wish I had Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali for grandparents!

Very well-written story of two older people slowly getting together despite the racial and cultural barriers that the younger people around them cling to.
Major Pettigrew's voice in this novel is so droll and whimsical, you can't help but love him.
A very engaging read for people who would enjoy a low-key romance plot within a broader theme of social commentary.

I wanted to like this one, but after 150 pages I just found it extremely boring and am going to give up on it.

Lots of buzz about this book in the blogosphere and well deserved, I'd say.

Major Pettigrew is Atticus Finch in his small English village. His wife is dead and, though he speaks with his son, he despairs at times of their relationship. The village is on the verge of change and Pettigrew and his fellow villagers are wrestling with what changes are acceptable and which are not.

Pettigrew is an admirable character in oh-so-many ways, and that is one of the charms of the books. But it is also his ability to find wry humor in most situations that makes his an endearing character.

I loved this book and I'd love to hear what others think about it.