MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND

MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND by Helen Simonson

From Amazon.com (Lauren Nemroff):

In her witty and wise debut novel, newcomer Helen Simonson introduces the unforgettable character of the widower Major Ernest Pettigrew.  The Major epitomizes the Englishman with the "stiff upper lip," who clings to traditional values and has tried (in vain) to pass these along to his yuppie son, Roger.  The story centers around Pettigrew's fight to keep his greedy relatives (including his son) from selling a valuable family heirloom - a pair of hunting rifles that symbolizes much of what he stands for, or at least what he thinks he does.  the embattled hero discovers an unexpected ally and source of consolation in his neighbor, the Pakistani shopkeeper Jasmina Ali.  On the surface, Pettigrew and Ali's backgrounds and life experiences couldn't be more different, but they discover that they have the most important things in common.  This wry, yet optimistic comedy of manners with a romantic twist will appeal to grown-up readers of both sexes.  

I enjoyed this book and especially loved Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali.  The Major has such a dry sense of humor, shown by his sarcastic retorts to people which were thought but never spoken.  The Major is usually too proper to say what was really on his mind.  Different reviews I have read of this book complain that the Major was locked into an earlier time and way of life.  True, but that's what made him so charming.  There was one little section toward the end of the book where the Major and Mrs. Ali both broke out of their mold and acted like children, if only for a few minutes.  I loved that part - it showed a very soft side of both of them.

I read this book with a small online book group, and I'm anxious to hear what others thought of this book.