Reading Group Book Review

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

by Helen Simonson

In April of 2016 the 'Reading Group' at Rhymney Library reviewed 'Major Pettigrew's Last Stand' by Helen Simonson. This is what they thought. Please note there are MINOR SPOILERS in this/these reviews:

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I found the main characters well rounded, and believable. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a well written book!"

"The start of the book was slow and very complicated to get into, but later on it did get very compelling and very rewarding and most of the characters were enthralling, but others were very skeptical and difficult. In the end the major had his reward."

"A little slow to start but picked up later."

"This book was a lovely read. It sounded a fantastic time to be a live. A lovely story. I would certainly read more by Helen Simonson!"

"A really good read. Kept your interest all the way through. I could not put it down. If I had the time to I would read it again! I would like to read more by this author."

"I thoroughly enjoyed this. The style made for easy reading with good succinct descriptions and no flowery language - some lovely, funny descriptions eg. "Personally I never travel by train without a chicken" and good use of irony "I will be allowed the HONOUR of looking after several small children"

"It's a book I wouldn't have chosen but I thoroughly enjoyed. Good characterisation and it contained a lot of home truths. I especially liked Major Pettigrews dry humour. I felt that experienced a lot of irony- fast food chains taking over, new housing estates etc. I also felt that the author had an empathy that came through regarding bereavement - "the deep ache" - keeping some-ones clothes and pressing your face into them for comfort etc. The snobbishness comes through well. Nobody in trade was allowed to be a member of the gold club and also the prejudice against race, a really good read."


Reviewed by The Reading Group @ Rhymney Library 

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