Overall, what did you think of "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand". Did you enjoy it? If so, what sort of people would you recommend it to?

Here's the review I just posted.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is a delight. It's a cup of hot chocolate after a walk in the freezing cold. It's the pillow of whipped cream on pumpkin pie. It's the purr of a kitty cat sitting in your lap. You get the idea! The characters were so well crafted, I felt like an eavesdropper in the next room. And yet there is a hard message delivered amid all these feel-good attributes: about our reaction to others who differ from us, whether they are members of our own family or another culture. The plot involves Major Pettigrew still mourning over the loss of his wife and now the death of his brother. These deaths are a metaphor for the loss of a way of life, traumatic and dispiriting events which can lead to better times through the willingness to embrace change. Major Pettigrew's life becomes enmeshed with that of Mrs. Ali, a widow and local shopkeeper of Pakistani heritage. I won’t say more about their relationship now but was very happy to have made their acquaintance for 358 pages.

Well written but a bit too slow for my liking. I did not necessarily agree with the comparisons to Jane Austen or "Romeo and Juliet". However, the lead characters of Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali were quite engaging and I felt that the story picked up whenever there was interaction with the two of them (and dragged when they were apart).

It took me a while to warm up to the characters. Then about half way through the book I could not stop until I finished. I enjoyed the story very much. I kept trying to guess what situation would end up being Major Pettigrew's last stand but I never would have imagined the final one. I admired the Major's ability to keep a sense of honor and tradition yet break out of his comfort zone to such a degree.

I am only about half way through the book so far (sorry - - not the world's fastest reader over here!), and I absolutely love it so far. For some reason, it reminds me so much of Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It isn't the type of book with a hard driving plot or huge suspense - - but it focuses beautifully on the smaller elements of life, love, and relationships. The characters are beautifully drawn and so truly human.

I will definitely check in later with a more comprehensive review, but so far, I'm just basking in the little details that this author uses so deftly.

I truly enjoyed this book. I think it got better as it went along, once you got all the characters straight. I love reading books set in England especially if they take place in a small village. Was glad to see that it was "modern" and not with outdated stereotypical characters.

There were some surprises so I won't say too much here in case anyone has no finished the book. I really look forward to reading more by this author.

The book was well written and very interesting. I loved the character, Major Pettigrew and I thought all of the characters were well developed. I did enjoy the book

I loved the beginning, the middle and the end of this book. Savoring every page, I did not want this book to end! and was so very sad when it did!!!

I really liked the book and romance between Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali. He is so chivalrous and protective of Mrs. Ali but yet he gives her the space to be her own person. The subtlilty of their evolving relationship was engaging. I did get confused about some of the minor characters of which there were many. I would recommend this book.

I found this book a joy. It made me cringe (in the face of the bigotry and small-mindedness of some of the villagers), hold my breath (while reading the last paragraphs of Chapter 24, which I erroneously thought was the last one!), and truly laugh out loud (most often at the rapier-like, dry wit which the major displays in the face of his son's absurdities - or the equally insightful comments of Mrs. Ali as she so gracefully negotiates bias and ignorance, not only from British villagers, but from her own family).

I found it an irresistible delight and astonishing for a first novel.

This is not normally a type of book I would ever have picked up to read. I normally am bored unless I am reading a thriller or adventure novel. However, I have now discovered that good writing, wit, and humor as well as endearing characters are enough to keep me from being bored. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and can't imagine anyone not liking it.

I found myself savoring the word usage and use of simile and metaphor. In fact, the beautiful writing ALMOST interupted the story! One of my favorites is on page 65.

"a rumpled parka the color of an oil spill" I can picture this. The use of the image of the oil spill gives a clearer description of "messiness" and emphasizes the "rumpled" look of a well worn parka.

A few pages later she states "happiness like a closely banked fire" again a clear word picture of warmth, peace, enjoyment, serenity. All of this in just a few well chosen words. This is just wonderful writing. I'm so glad I read this book. Just for the shear pleasure of the writing -- and it is a great story besides. What more could you want from a book.

I loved this book and was hooked from the first chapter. It is a wonderful story filled with so many interesting elements: humor, pathos, a small English village, petty jealousy, discrimination in many forms. I found myself stopping to jot down phrases and points made by the author. For example: "She said if I maintained my aversion to change I risked being reincarnated as a granite post". The characters were very interesting and easy (or difficult, depending on one's perspective) to identify with. I can't wait for the next installment.

The word that kept coming to my mind while I read this was charming. There was a charm cast over the whole story. I loved that there was a real romance between these two "older" characters. I was amused by the fact I kept changing my mind on what I thought the Major's Last Stand was going to be. In the end I really loved what it actually was.

Here's my more comprehensive "review" . . .five stars is best for me.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
4 stars

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is a wonderful, sweet read that reminded me tremendously of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. It features a relationship between two older people, both of whom have lost their spouses. The path to true love does not run smooth, especially given that the two protagonists do not share the same ethnicity or religion. What makes this book such a delight to read is the subtle British wit that completely infuses every chapter. It is a story where the details really bring it to life, and one that features characters developing as they might in real life - - without a great deal of melodrama. In fact, the only reason I didn't give it five stars is I felt that the climax of the book wasn't really consistent with the rest of the writing . . .it just seemed less realistic and believable, and the rest of the book was so authentic that I found the change a bit jarring. But overall, I'm really looking forward to see what else this new writer delivers.

This particular book hit just the right spot for me. It was charming, without being overly sweet. I took to the two main characters right away. The book touched on a variety of topics from romance between two different ethnicities, family issues, expectations, and discrimination. The family issues especially stood out for me--perhaps because of my own relationship with my parents and now with the birth of my daughter. I can see why so many people love this novel. It is full of heart and makes for a good book to read when someone doesn't want something overly dark and serious. That isn't to say it doesn't deal with serious issues--it does, but does so in such a way to keep the mood on the light side more often than not.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it charming from the first. I thought the characters were especially well-drawn and compelling as was the village. The cast of characters and the subtle wit of the Major were just pitch perfect. It is a wonderful tale second love and change later in life. I have recommended this book to everyone I know.

Enjoyable audio book. Character development is a little slow in the beginning but once Major Pettigrew becomes real, the story is engrossing.

Life is not over after 60 and therein lies its greatest demographic appeal.

I felt is was a delightful novel filled with interesting people. I thought the friendship between the Major and Mrs. Ali rang true, as did some of the unfortunate racial problems that developed because of their relationship. I really loved the characters in this book and felt that the book came to an end too soon - before I was ready to be done with them.

When I first started reading, I wasn't sure if I was going to like the Major. He appeared to be "stiff upper lip" material. But as they say looks can be deceiving. He was a real suprise. I really enjoyed that he was able recognize things in himself that weren't pleasant, and made the effort to do the right things.

I found Major Pettigrew's Last Stand to be an interesting and well written Novel. The characters were interesting and well developed. Definitely, I would have liked a longer look at the lives of the major and his new wife. I would recommend it to readers who like British novels and who enjoy reading about social
and moral situations.

I must admit I also love mysteries & adventure stories but since joining my book club I have expanded my reading & I am going to put this book up for our new list, I really enjoyed reading it, loved the characters & the English side of it. I will enjoy reading it again even if the book club do not pick it.

I enjoyed the book. I felt it was a charming, easy read, but with some underlying pearls of wisdom. I found the Major, although "set in his ways" was actually more open minded about people than was his son, of a younger, more "open minded" generation. I found much humour in several of the situations, in the interchanges between the characters, and found the dialogue delightful.

I enjoyed the book. It is always fun to read about book with characters from a small English village. The story intrduced the reader to the peculiar personalities of the village's residents. But it also showcased some more serious issues that have to do with different cultures mixing.

This book was enjoyable, but a little slow. I guess I would call it a "beach book". Not much that is stimulating about it, but it was charming. Not much real character development.