At the heart of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson is a very tender, very affecting love story between two people of more mature years, and as such it's a warm and uplifting novel, and one with a great deal to enjoy.
Set in the pretty English village of Edgecombe St. Mary, where Major Ernest Pettigrew has lived virtually his whole life, the book is about his gradually developing relationship with Mrs. Ali, keeper of the village shop. That in itself is skilfully and sensitively played out, but what is less succesful are the supporting sub-plots. One, involving Mrs. Ali's extended family, was confusing and scarcely credible - it exists to provide motive for various actions and then, crucially, dramatic moments at the book's climax, but it's contrived and it creaks. The other main strand concerns the Major's insufferably shallow son, his romantic life and his involvement in plans for village development, and again credulity is stretched and unfunny farce gets in the way of what the writer elsewhere does very well indeed.
As I'm sounding negative I must stress that I enjoyed the book thoroughly despite its weaker parts. What makes it work are the characters of the Major and Mrs. Ali, both now alone after very happy marriages, finding a common interest in literature and a sustaining friendship when the modern world is beleaguering and all too swiftly changing. The Major is a stickler for upholding standards and maintaining correct behaviour; he abhors the pushy, the crass, the impolite, but his stiff exterior hides a heart which he discovers will open to the right gentle touch. Mrs. Ali has quiet dignity and a good deal of spirit, but hers is a life of duty, so when the chivalrous Major saves her from what was to have been a miserable fate, there is a blossoming which surprises them both.
Ignore the bumpier patches and enjoy the smoothly written, highly engaging story at the book's centre - it's quite lovely.
