Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

by Helen Simonson

Scott County Library hardcover 355 pages

Published: 2010

Genre: Fiction, a little historical, very British

 

I loved this one even more than her other book I've read! Major Pettigrew is a lovely older widower. He is more relatable than I expected and I was rooting for him throughout this book! I was surprised at how much the father / son dynamic affected me . . . what a delightful writer. I hope Simonson has more books in the works!

Page 19 - When his son wants Major Pettigrew to hurry up and sell his precious Churchill gun so Roger and his cousin can get some of the money . . . shortly after the Major's brother died. These guns were a treasured gift from their own father. Ouch!

"Jemima says the market is red hot right now. There aren't Churchills of this quality to be had for love or money. The Americans are signing up for waiting lists." The Major felt a slow tightening in the muscles of his cheeks. His small smile became quite rigid as he inferred the blow that was to come. "So, Jemima and I think the most sensible course of action would be to sell them as a pair right now. Of course, it would be your money, Dad, but since you are planning to pass it on to me eventually, I assume, I could really use it now." The Major said nothing. He concentrated on breathing.

Page 24 - Major Pettigrew's sister-in-law Marjorie is so awful. When Roger is excited to introduce his American girlfriend, Sandy, Marjorie is bragging about her poorly behaved grandson. I love how Simonson communicates so much in her sentences!

The Major waved and began a reluctant voyage across the room between groups of people whose conversations had whipped them into tight circles, like leaves in a squall. "He's a very sensitive child," Marjorie was telling the American. "High-strung, you know, but very intelligent. My daughter is having him tested for high IQ."

Page 79 - I both laugh and cringe at how Americans are universally uncouth, loud, ill-mannered, and clueless in books like this. This one made me laugh out loud.

The fourth man was a stranger, and something in his broad shoulders and unfortunate pink golf shirt suggested to the Major that he might be another American. Two Americans in as many weeks was, he reflected, approaching a nasty epidemic.

Page 132 - This little excerpt won't really communicate the scene well, but I loved how the Major started warming up to Sandy despite a poor first impression. When Roger, Sandy, and the Major are looking at a run-down cottage, the previous owner's niece is a nasty woman who is trying to get as much money out of the young couple as she can.

"Do you think the aunt died in her bed here?" whispered Sandy, grinning as she went by. "And do you think she'll let us buy the mattress?" The Major could not suppress a laugh.

Page 249 - The differences in the Major's world view and Roger's are stark. The Major is horrified that Roger agreed to enact a scene involving the Major's actions in India. 

Roger, with a smile that expressed more reluctance than pleasure, started across the dance floor toward them. As he approached, the Major tried to focus on pride as a primary emotion. A certain embarrassment attached to seeing his son wearing a uniform to which he was not entitled. Roger had been so adamant in his refusal to join the army: the Major remembered the discussion they had had one blustery Easter weekend. 

Page 261 - I loved this little comment after the senior Rasool instigated a huge scene at the big gala! Daisy was such a fussy budget and not nice to Mrs. Ali.

"Mrs. Rasool, why don't we squeeze through and bring him to the porch?" said Grace, taking charge. "It's quieter out there."

"Is there something wrong with the kitchen?" shrieked Daisy as he was led away.

"It's probably dementia, wouldn't you say?" Mrs. Khan asked her husband loudly.

"Oh no, Daisy is always that way," said the Major without thinking.

 

Page  273 - This made me laugh AND made me sad. How true it is that even the church can put money ahead of mission . . . 

"Of course not," said the Vicar. "Since the Bishop's office did market research on the devastating impact of negative or unduly stern sermons on the collection plate, we're all under orders to stick with the positive."

Page 296 - I loved the Major even more after this scene with his devastated son. There were times during the story that I thought Roger being a jerk wasn't completely Roger's fault . . .

The Major wished he had known, coming upon Sandy in the darkened house that night. He wished he has said something at the dance, when Mrs. Ali thought Sandy seemed troubled. They might have really done something then. He wondered whether it was his fault Roger had the perceptiveness of concrete. "I think perhaps your timing was not sensitive, Roger," said the Major quietly. He felt, in the area of his heart, a slow constriction of sorrow for his son and wondered where or when he had failed, or forgotten, to teach this boy compassion. 

Pages 348-9 I won't be specific because I don't want to spoil it, but I loved this scene about what really happened at the cliff's edge!!! It's so so so good!

I hope Simonson is working on her next book!