Monday Night Book Discussions
"MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND"
(written by Helen Simonson)
Salina Public Library
Salina, KS
© Lydia Lowe 10/8/2012
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand . . .This book is primarily a romance, although that is not apparent at the beginning of the book. The story sneaks up on you and before you know it, you're knee deep in a romance. But the book is broader than that. It covers a variety of relationships: parent to adult child, men with their male buddies, men with their female friends, men with that special woman, lost loves and then all the relationships that we have with shop keepers, public groups, and others.
I liked how the Major had this dry, sarcastic humor and was always popping off and speaking his mind, no one seemed to listen, but it was just so funny. Later on in the book, his love interest Mrs. Ali, did the same thing at a dance. Truly hilarious.
The family dynamics of the Major's family within England's standards were examined. Mrs. Ali's family dynamics were quite different from the Major's. It was interesting to see the contrast and comparision. In the end, though, people are people no matter societies norms. We all seem to follow a higher power of survival.
This book wasn't anything like I thought it would be. I probably wouldn't have picked it to read if I'd seen it sitting on a shelf. But I'm glad I got the chance to read it. One of the things that is great about book clubs, is the fact that someone else is picking the books and the reader is exposed to books they wouldn't normally read. It stretches your mind, makes you think.
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