Review: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

You could accuse this book of being twee - but who cares? It’s an absolutely delightful read. It’s undemanding and lovely and you can’t help but cheer for Major Pettigrew, widower, who’s orderly retired life is thrown into disarray by his blossoming romance with Mrs Ali, who is also alone. In a quintessential English village, where everyone knows everyone’s business, this is seen as ‘unacceptable behaviour’. Issues of race and class are handled with delicacy. This is a romance for grown-ups, to be enjoyed with a comforting cup of English Breakfast.

• Review
• Helen Simonson