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| I found this when I was searching for the book cover. I had never seen this cover before and I thought it was too cute not to share it! |
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
By Helen Simonson
This was one of those books that I kept on seeing everywhere, but kept on passing it up. From past experience, it's the situations like these in which I end up finding some of my most favorite books (ie. Harry Potter series (before it was cool), Kite Runner, and Water for Elephants). This has happened for me with so many of my favorite books & series that I hope I have finally learned my lesson.
The reason I was initially uninterested in Major Pettigrew's Last Stand was because it didn't seem too exciting to be reading about a 68 year old who is a retired Major, widowed, and living in a sleepy and small English town. Typically, that would still probably ring true but Helen Simonson did an incredible job with the character development and making the book authentic and genuine. It's a very well written novel and was such a fresh and original read to me that I was immediately captivated and delighted! I think it's best to describe it as unexpectedly entertaining!
This is another English read with deadpan humor - which I love. It's a modern day love story between two individuals who find their friendship developing into something more. It's an "unlikely" friendship, but it stems from a shared love of literature and similar circumstances, the recent loss of their spouses. The Major, who is set in his ways, traditional, and proper falls for Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. On the surface, they couldn't be more different, but they realize that they have the most important things in common. However, due to their cultural differences, the village locals and their family members aren't as accepting of their growing friendship.
As the summary asks on the back of the novel, "can their relationship survive the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of culture and tradition?"
Part of the beauty of this novel is that Helen Simonson touches on so many relatable themes & issues: prejudices, racism, grief, the relationship between father's and sons (and families in general), religious beliefs, the clash of culture, loss, disappointment, and love.
It's a worthwhile read, so take my advice and go get you some!
The reason I was initially uninterested in Major Pettigrew's Last Stand was because it didn't seem too exciting to be reading about a 68 year old who is a retired Major, widowed, and living in a sleepy and small English town. Typically, that would still probably ring true but Helen Simonson did an incredible job with the character development and making the book authentic and genuine. It's a very well written novel and was such a fresh and original read to me that I was immediately captivated and delighted! I think it's best to describe it as unexpectedly entertaining!
This is another English read with deadpan humor - which I love. It's a modern day love story between two individuals who find their friendship developing into something more. It's an "unlikely" friendship, but it stems from a shared love of literature and similar circumstances, the recent loss of their spouses. The Major, who is set in his ways, traditional, and proper falls for Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. On the surface, they couldn't be more different, but they realize that they have the most important things in common. However, due to their cultural differences, the village locals and their family members aren't as accepting of their growing friendship.
As the summary asks on the back of the novel, "can their relationship survive the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of culture and tradition?"
Part of the beauty of this novel is that Helen Simonson touches on so many relatable themes & issues: prejudices, racism, grief, the relationship between father's and sons (and families in general), religious beliefs, the clash of culture, loss, disappointment, and love.
It's a worthwhile read, so take my advice and go get you some!
