Let's Talk About... Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Want to relax amid the bustle of preparing for the holidays?  Join us for a discussion of Helen Simonson's Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, the sweet, romantic story of an old widower living in a small village in the English countryside. This last book club meeting of 2013 will be on Thursday, December 5 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Junior Home room at Tiffin-Seneca Public Library. Light refreshments will be provided.

Major Pettigrew is a proper English gentleman who strikes up a friendship with the lovely Pakistani shopkeeper, Mrs. Ali, from down the road. They bond over the loss of their spouses and eventually their friendship begins to turn to romance. However, their blossoming love hits a snag when the others in the village find out and disapprove of the romance between a local and a foreigner.

Though I do not normally read romances, I enjoyed this novel for a lighter look at some deeper themes such as racism, dealing with adult children, and love after the death of a spouse. The characters also turned out to be deeper than I had initially assumed, and the Major especially grows over the course of the novel. In addition, the slow-burning romance between Mrs. Ali and the Major is heart-warming to observe as they bond over their losses and love of reading.

Here are some things to think about to get your brain working before the book club meeting:

• Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali have known one another for a time. What is it about this one moment, when he opens the door to her at the story's onset, that makes him fall in love with her?*
• How are outsiders treated in this village...and who are considered outsiders?*

Please join us to discuss this sweet English romance. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Shannon Wood, Adult Services Librarian

*Discussion questions courtesy of Litlovers.com.