But this is a romance novel that contains human lessons, tensions and struggles almost too numerous to count.

Her characterizations are far more disjointed than the plot, which has its flaws but at worst they’re jarring, not heinous. and things come to a head at various events: a shooting party (where local animal lovers organize a protest against the killing of ducks), the unveiling of a plan to develop Edgecombe St. My only complaint is that the ending is unexpectedly quite different in tone and pace than the rest of the book. He’s the best of the past in spite of (and because of) the thick layer of proper behavior that keeps him from following his stellar instincts now and then. A highlight is when a curry dish is considered far too spicy and exotic to serve at some golf club dinner – the author is so hell-bent on portraying everyone as provincial that she somehow forgot the English have been eating curry for over a century?In particular I had to suspend my critical historian’s eye over the re-enactment of the events that led to the Major’s father being awarded the pair of guns by a Maharajah.

In her polished debut novel Helen Simonson has created a charming story of village politics, multicultural conflicts, the value of good manners, and the zest in a jolly good turn of phrase. This was quietly hilarious - the Major's dry sense of humour and the sometimes ridiculous situations he gets himself into purely down to social niceties and perceived face-saving is very funny. A melee between families and the local snob society break out at a Club sponsored dance where feelings were hurt and romances ebbed.He wore a white military uniform with a short scarlet cloak and a close fitted hat adorned with medals. It is a story that deals with religion, politics, race relations and other sensitive topics, but without proselytizing. She's a woman that lives by the values closely aligned to her culture, yet Major and her grow fond of one another in an organic way, worthy of exploring.

F.A, as well as a career in travel advertising and a degree from the London School of Economics) that she leaves these manipulations proudly visible.These delightful novels were set, like Helen Simonson’s “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand,” in a village in Sussex. A heart warming story about people figuring out how, and then deciding to have, a meaningful and fulfilling life by letting go of preconceived notions, prejudices, and plans.

There were so many little nuggets of wit and wisdom within these pages that I had to stop writing them all down in favour of being one with the flow of the writing.Her debut novel, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, was a NY Times bestseller and was published in twenty one countries. Everything fits together – traditions, values, rebellion, challenges – and creates a story that is both timely and very real. Not only the novel is never boring, but it is written with an Austen-like elegant humor which I don't come across very often in contemporary literature. He is constantly affronted by people who are selfish and inconsiderate, and there are many in Edgecombe. Distracted by grief, he happens to be wearing a red, flowery housecoat when he answers a ring at his front door.