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Thursday, May 6, 2010

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson


This book is every bit as charming as it's cover.  Step into a quaint and bucolic English Village, and settle in with a cup of tea.  Major Pettigrew is an older widower, a very proper Brit, who has just lost his brother Bertie.  Bertie and Major P. inherited a pair of hunting rifles that were originally awarded to their father in Colonial India by a grateful Maharajah (he saved a Princess).  So we have a bit of frustration over Bertie's estate and greedy relatives, including the Major's own son.  Mix in the lovely Pakistani widow who runs the local shoppe, and a voracious developer, and you already have a good story.   British, American and Pakistani cultures collide and some riotous behavior ensues.  With all the heavy reading we do, this is really a light, fun read for summer.  Lest you think it's too light, the plot is surprisingly dense.  Don't forget the crumpets.  Good O.