BOOK CLUB NEWS
January 16, 2015
Richard Bass, Coordinator
Cell: 323-533-3550 [email protected]
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, by Helen Simonson
Discussion Leader: Ann Kepcke
Ann’s discussion, much like the book, began with a grin
and ended raucous…book club raucous, that is. With
tongue in cheek, Ann began with photographs of the
Churchill shotgun, informing us that a matched set on
today’s market is valued at $50,000. Helen Simonson, was
born in the tiny medieval port town of Rye in East Sussex,
England, with its harbor active since the time of the
Romans in the eastern section of the English Channel at
its narrowest point. (By the way, the French call this body
of water La Manche, or The Sleeve.) It was part of the Cinque Ports established in
1155 to defend against French invasions. It is literary country, having produced
Henry James, Rudyard Kipling, and Virginia Woolf, whose heritage inspired the
author. Ms. Simonson spent two decades in Brooklyn, NY, but still calls England
home.
Ann began discussion with the theme of otherness. What characters did not fit in,
did not fit in to what, and how: the Americans, the Major, Mrs. Ali, Grace,
Gertrude, Roger. What were Major Pettigrew’s best traits and flaws (this topic
inspired no less than thirty minutes discussion)? Why did the Major treat Mrs.
Ali’s nephew differently from his son, Roger? What was Major Pettigrew’s last
stand? The Churchill shotguns played an important role; were they symbolic?
Why did the Major want the set? Identify the oppression of women in the story.
How does the structure resemble a three-act play? We discussed the style, subtle
with the story being foremost. One reader observed that the style doesn’t get in
the way of the story; another experienced it like comfort food. What is the
significance of the abundance of dialogue; what does it say about the author? The
book opens with Major Pettigrew grieving. How does his grief allow the story to
continue? What is the significance of the Major’s answering the door in his wife’s
floral robe? Did you read this with a grin?
Although all readers did not agree, almost all found the novel delightful,
charming, and extremely funny. When Ann proposed that readers tell a favorite
scene of humor or chaos, the discussion became raucous, ending the meeting
with heartfelt laughter. When Roger, Sandy and the Major first interact together,
Sandy says, “Roger really has an eye for design…he could be a decorator.” The
Major replies, “Really? That’s quite an accusation.” The Major’s pretentiousness
shows at Roger’s: “Is your jacket smoldering,” the Major asks Roger, “or are you
just cooking something made of tweed?” Eyeing the brush-shaped black
Christmas tree considered clever holiday décor by Roger and his brash American
girlfriend, the Major exclaims, “Good heavens, is it Christmas in Hades?” When a
couple of broadly vulgar American characters appear in the Major’s village in
what he sees as disturbingly rapid succession, Ms. Simonson writes, “…two
Americans in as many weeks [was something] approaching an epidemic.” And of
course there’s the garden party. Several readers recommended listening to the
audio-book, which showed off the richness of British wit, sarcasm, and farce. In
the end, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is about intelligence…and heart…and
dignity…and backbone.
Thank you, Ann, for your leadership and the banana bread and the Christmas fruit
cake. Join us February 20, 2015, when Sandy Clark will lead our discussion of The
Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown