Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Random House • $15 • Paperback published in November 2010 (hardcover published in March 2010)
This week’s Monday Contest is all about book clubs, so I thought it only appropriate to highlight an excerpt from a novel that will surely become a popular reading group pick in 2011.
When Linda White reviewed Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (in hardcover) back in February 2010, she praised its success in exploring “the rift not only between generations, but between cultures.” (She also wrote that you’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll feel like you’re on vacation in the English countryside. What more can you ask of book than that?!)
Now, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is out in paperback, and you can find a Reader’s Guide on the Random House website. I have been dying to read the novel ever since BEA, when a couple of BookPage elves (with sticky fingers) snagged me a signed copy.
Here’s an excerpt from this romantic comedy of manners that will leave Austen fans delighted—and eager to learn when debut novelist Helen Simonson is releasing book two:
“It’s Jasmina now, is it?” said Roger as the Major poured tea and handed round the cups. “I can’t believe my own father has a lady friend—at his age.” He shook his head as if this were the final nail in the coffin of his shattered life.
“I refuse to be referred to by a term so oily with double entendre,” said Jasmina as she hung her coat on one of the pegs by the back door and came to sit at the table. She was very composed as she smiled at Roger, though the Major noted a slight compression of the jaw and chin. “I prefer ‘lover,’” she said.
What are you reading today? Will you read Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand?
Yes, I read Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand & loved it! I am now into Charles Baxter’s “Gryphon.”
I loved “…Last Stand. I like happy endings!
Major Pettigrew is my book group’s “date” for March. Right now I’m working on The Autobiography of Mark Twain and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest.
am starting it today… just finished Hunger Games…which was really good
I just finished Pride and Prejudice. My goal in 2011 is to read the 100 all time best reads. I think next is Anna Karenina. I’m not sure how I’m going to squeeze in all the new books coming out too!
I’m currently (re)reading POPE JOAN by Donna Woolfork Cross. Hope the movie becomes more widely distributed now that it has won some awards
Really loved Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. Sweet and endearing with enough “issues” thrown in to make it thought-provoking. It was my favorite book of 2010.
I must agree with Sally’s post. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand was a favorite book of mine for 2010.
Now some biographies and autobiographies I have set aside for reading.
Our book group read this last September and loved it! Excellent story and very endearing characters. I just finished “The Hour I First Believed” and am now starting “The Widower’s Tale”.
I bet the movie is based on the book, and although it was great for a lazy Sunday, it was not really worthy (5/10). So, I’m not that inclined to read the book now that I know the story.
Thanks!
“The Discovery of Witches” by Deborah Harkness. Fantastic.
I tried it and found Major Pettigrew to be an insufferable bore. Maybe I stopped too soon. I’m reading Ape House by Sara Gruen.
I am reading “The Privileges” by Jonathan Dee but truly enjoyed Major Pettigrew which was a fun holiday gift to share with family & friends
Now to the mental part of chocolate. I don’t want to go too deep into this because that is a whole story in itself. But is a fact that belgian chocolate relaxes us and improves our mood. When our spirit is low we don’t do anything but sit around feeling depressed. Depression causes us to sit around feeling sorry for ourselves. Point number four eating chocolate improves our disposition, which improves our quality of life. Another reason we can’t eat too much dark chocolate!