Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Major Pettigrew is a retired military man, a creature of habit and principle who lives in the small English village of Edgecombe St. Mary. He's opinionated with a dry sense of humor, and manages to be a lovable old curmudgeon and an unlikely hero. After the death of his brother, he finds himself in some uncertain territory with family, and befriends Mrs. Jasmina Ali (widowed), a Pakistani shopkeeper in the village. Their friendship sparks some talk and tension from both of their families, as well as some wonderful discussions about life and literature.

I enjoyed dropping into the life of a small English village for a time, and appreciated the care Simonson took in writing a group of people who are in equal turns caring and bothersome, getting into each other's business and at the same time showing up for each other when needed. It is English comedy done well, playing with manners and elegance in a sort of wry way. This book also handles themes of family, religion, modernization, and community with a gentle hand. The story has a lot of heart, and is written in a fresh, and at times playful, tone. The Major's appreciation for his gardening and a well-brewed cup of tea makes for some very cozy moments tucked in throughout the book, and the gradual unfolding of the Major & Mrs. Ali's relationship is lovely, nuanced, and complicated by family, in the way that real love stories are.

“Life does often get in the way of one's reading.”

“He opened his mouth to say that she looked extremely beautiful and deserved armfuls of roses, but the words were lost in committee somewhere, shuffled aside by the parts of his head that worked full-time at avoiding ridicule.”

“Passion is all very well, but it wouldn't do to spill the tea.”

“And after all, everyone needs a few flaws to make them real.”

“I am to be converted to the joys of knitting,' said Mrs. Ali, smiling at the Major.'My condolences,' he said.”