Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: Book Review

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
By Helen Simonson


Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, Meet Major Pettigrew, 68 year old British gentleman. He was born during the colonial era, in India. He lives in Britain at Edgecombe St. Mary, in Rose Cottage.  He is a staunch, uptight, obligated to his family, and opinionated gentleman, and clings to the old staunchly ways of the British. 

At first he seems to be  a proper gentleman. Think of PBS Masterpiece Theatre. You do, get the picture.  Then as the story develops, you see the Major's character peel away like a onion. As you get deeper, layer by layer.

There is also Roger, Major Pettigrew's adult son. A selfish, a young gent. He has a American girlfriend. 

Then you meet Mrs. Ali. A Pakistani woman, born in England. She owns a tea shop. A bit younger than Mr. Pettigrew. Their friendship savours over time. Also, in her shop is her nephew. Very traditional and observant in his traditions. This causes friction with them, and also Major Pettigrew, and Mrs. Ali's relationship as it grows.

In the meantime, you meet the villagers. They treat Mrs. Ali, as a outsider, but she is British born. But in reality who is the outsider? I think we are all at times we feel like outsiders. I think that is the point of the story.

 At times, probably because I am a American, I did feel offended by what the character's thought of Roger's girlfriends behavior.  I can't believe the author lives in the United States now.

The novel, was in the beginning starts with the death of his brother Bertie.  After the funeral Major Pettigrew has a meeting with the lawyer to talk about the situation of Bertie, and Major Pettigrew's guns.   He's father before his death told Major Pettigrew his wishes. He does not want the guns separated. If one brother dies, he wanted to keep the guns in the family.

My Thoughts: I read this for my book club. I usually don't pick up a story that is character driven.  I enjoyed reading the novel. I cared about what happened to all the characters.  You must savour this with a cup of hot tea and a scone.  The story just peels away, like the characters like a onion. I loved how the author did this.  There was a comedy of manners written in to the story that made it a nice read.

At first I did not care for Major Pettigrew, but he grew on you by the end of the story you started to care for and root for this gentleman to win over Mrs. Ali. You will have to find out that part by reading it yourself. The characters grow on you. I am still thinking about this after the story ended.

The story had romance, class status, gossip, culture differences, and a character study.  I recommend this book, but you can't read this as a fast read, but savour it, s-l-o-w-l-y.

I loved how the author described Rose Cottage, and was very descriptive in explaining the house and the garden. Mrs. Simonson, gave me a "take me away Colgon moment". ( sorry if you don't know what Calgon is)

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand was purchased by me.

If you read Major Pettigrew I would love to hear what you thought of it.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

I decided to start participating in one meme. I have never participated in any memes before.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by bookjourney.
The weekly meme,  Is to share what we are reading this week, and what books we plan on reading next.   Also visit 10 other participants blog for a chance to win a prize.

I am almost finished with reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. This was our book club pick for June.

 Then I plan on reading a ARC of Jerusalem Maiden by Talia Carner, and Skinny by Diana Spechler. What are you reading this week?

Book Review: The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana
By Gayle Tzemack Lemmon

Gayle Tzemack Lemmon, is a fellow and Deputy Director of the Women and Foreign Policy Program at the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2004 she left ABC News to earn her MBA at Harvard, where she began to writing about women entreprenerus in conflict and post conflict zones., including Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Rwanda. Her reporting on entreprenueurs in these countries has been published by the NYT, CNN.com, and the Daily Beast.

I enjoyed reading Ms. Lemmon's book about Afghani women. It is not just about the Afghani women. It also gives you some back history. For instance, I did not know during the 50's ,it was exceptable to wear European clothing.

In 1992, the Mujadeen took over, your heads had to be covered. The Mujadeen began fighting in the streets, with competing factions. . I learned about the history leading up to 9/11, the Russian occupation.

Before 9/11, I don't know about anywhere else. But, in the U. S, most people did not hear of Afghanistan or care about it till after 9/11. " Afghanistan was forgotten by the rest of the world. Turned off, but after 9/11, the United States notices them."

Most girls were allowed out with out a chaperone. Kamilia's father believed all of his children should be educated, including the girls. But, by the Taliban came into power, Girls were not allowed to be educated. They were not allowed out of the house. Kamilia became a teacher, but by then most women had been confined to their homes. They could not work.

They had to be covered head to toe. They had to be covered with the well know "burqa". They were prohibited in wearing high heels, no make up, Jewelry.

They could not speak to a man that was not related. They had to speak softly. They could not go to the market, without being accompanied by a male.

They could not be measured by a tailor, there wasn't any music, or any movies they were allowed to see. Not any fancy clothes. Or you would be beaten in front of everyone to see.They had to be made a example.  Any woman had to be accompanied by a chaperone.( male or a girl younger than 13).

Most of the men that were left behind, were too old, they were killed, or taken to fight with the Taliban. Most women, still had to survive and if they were caught walking the streets they were beaten.

Ms. Lemmon decided to search out and find out if there were businesses run by women that were flourishing. She found one such woman. Her name was Kamilia Sidiqi, she is 17. She owned a shop that made clothing.

Both their parents left Kabul, to go up north. Because her father was a important politician that was retired in the old regime. But, her family was afraid that the taliban would think he would sell secrets. He was a danger to the Taliban. He, and and his wife went up north, and left their 11 children to their own devices. Except one of their son's left because he was at the age to be fighting along with the Taliban.

Kamilia was the responsible one. She knew she had to do something for them to survive. She decided she wanted to learn a trade. She wanted to learn to sew, this would bring income to the family. She realized that the economy was collapsing. But, women still needed simple clothing.

She decided she and her brother, Rahim( chaperone) would go with her to talk to the shopkeeper in the bazaar. He put his small order in. She was so excited. All her sisters and brothers went to work to make the order. Kamilia then went to a tailor shop. The owner was a friend, and he put his order in.

They realized that the business was growing. One room was their communal room, was now made into the business. All the material was laid down, and they  got to work. Their sister, Malika was making wedding gowns as well. Their business started to thrive. Kamilia learned to have good business skills that made her business grow. Word got around and many people were putting their order in.

Other women in the community got wind of this, and came to Kamilia looking for work. The business was getting so overwhelming. Kamilia got a brain storm, to run a sewing school.

My Thoughts:

I would have been scared. I can see how many women would have given up. Women were not allowed outside without a chaperone. Most men were taken away from their homes. They were either killed or forced to be in the Taliban. Many women,were beaten on the streets, if they did not have burqa( if it was not covering head to toe), including the shoes they wore, if their shoes made noises, if there hands showed, if they shopped alone. Anything that would draw attention to themselves.

What could you do if you had no one at home, not a chaperone. What if you were living by your self. Kamilia's family was very lucky she had 11 brothers and sisters. But, what about women that did not have anyone at home?

You needed to get food and supplies for your yourself. What terrible conditions they lived in. But, Kamilia and her sisters found a way. What inspiration. I truly loved reading this bookThis book gave us a inside view of what Afghanistan is like for young women.

She was a good inspiration for her family and the people of Afghanistan. To show even in hard times there were women that survived and able to do good for her community.

I enjoyed reading Dressmaker of Khair Khana, it gave us a open eye view what it was like for women in Afghanistan before and after 9/11. She gave us the politics, and the history of Afghanistan,women's hardships.

I am very glad I read this book and I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in Woman's rights, and Women's health issues, and the issues of Afghanistan.  There is a nice article you can read here about her work in Afghanistan.