Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: A
For: The other book club
From: a Christmas gift
Ah finally! Now I know what everyone has been raving about regarding this book! What a lovely lovely story. Some of you who crave adventure and action would say... "but nothing happens!" Yes, perhaps, but it's a sweet love story, the likes of which I don't seem to be reading much these days.
In February I'm celebrating LOVE month with Michelle over at Fluttering Butterflies. I should have probably saved this review to kick that off, but I can't wait that long!
Yes, it's a love story. Between a "mature" (or should we just say OLD) couple. And as "shocking" as that is, the more shocking part is that he is a distiguinshed traditional dyed-in-the-wool English gentleman. Like Mr. Darcy perhaps as a nearly 70 year old.... or the butler perhaps from Remains of the Day.... or maybe Father Tim even, if he was English! But the problem comes when he falls in love with a lady from Pakistan. Actually, she's born and bred in England, but her family and religion are from Pakistan. People in the village tolerate her. They like her well enough. But they tend to keep their distance. Then one day she suddenly shows up on Major Pettigrew's doorstep and something clicks.
It's wonderful! But all the problems that ensue? That's where the "stuff" of this story happen. Poor Major Pettigrew is really sick of some of the people he's lived around his whole life. He's tired of people telling him what to do, or not to do...including his grown up son. He's tired of being alone.
It's a wonderful sweet story, even though there's lots of big issues being dealt with at the same time. And it probably comes as no surprise that I myself, fell in love with Major Pettigrew! More on that in another post.
Bottom line: I loved it. And P.S.: what an awesomely creative cover!
Other Reviews:
Rhapsody in Books
Write Meg!
BookNAround
Lit and Life
An Adventure in Reading
Ahhh...a book about mature love...ha, fantastic! seriously, this book sounds great, but I think it would be refreshing to read of love with an older couple...you know, life does carry on, and we do continue to love and want to be loved...right? right. :)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I have added it to my new and revised to read list. Thanks, once again, Suey for sharing a book that you liked, AND adding to my list. :)
I've heard it's called a 'wringkly romance', and with all the aging boomers, it's the newest trend.
ReplyDeleteMy only quibble of it was that it tried to be a bit of everything - romance, quiet charm, but also adventure (the scene on the cliff at the end?). However, I liked that it encompassed so many different angles. I'm so glad you liked it too!
thanks for the link
I apparently missed something. I didn't like this book at all, but people seem to love it... I guess I am just weird. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I'm the only person on earth who hasn't read this yet!
ReplyDeleteMust. Read. This. NOW!
ReplyDelete@Leah -- no, you and I are the only ones not to have read it!