Windsor Locks Library BookBuggs discussion

I am currently in the middle of listening to "The Summer Before the War" by Helen Simonson during my drives up to Massachusetts. The main character, Beatrice Nash, is very independent and well-traveled young woman forced to earn a living as a Latin teacher in England after the death of her widowed father. Despite the fact that Beatrice took care of all of her father's household accounts and traveled extensively with him, he chose to leave his estate in trust for her until she marries, which she has vowed never to do. Imagine the frustration of an educated, self-sufficient young woman forced to beg for every dollar from her old-fashioned trustees! Against the backdrop of WWI as it begins, the sexism and class prejudice are even more pronounced. Beatrice is told that her most promising student will not be allowed to sit for a scholarship exam because he, who is poor and half gypsy, could not represent the school well and should never rise above his station in life.

Class and racial prejudice are also the themes of Simonson's other novel (and one of my favorites of all time), "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand." Major Pettigrew is a lonely widower, a retired military officer of proper manners and bearing, living alone in the village of Edgecomb St. Mary. He is also the most adorable character I have ever encountered in a novel. As his friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali develops slowly into a romance the Major displays a true understanding of what is really important in life.

Have any of you read either of these novels? What did you think? I would welcome recommendations of books with similar themes and settings. I'm anxious to finish "The Summer Before the War" to find out if Beatrice ever gains control of her trust and decides that perhaps marriage is not as bad as she thinks.

I adored Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. Or I remember adoring it. I'll have to go back and reread my review because it's been a long time. I will have to pick this one up. Your review makes sense more palatable then when I first read about the release.

actually, just checked and apparently I didn't write a review. Ugh. I remember how charming it was and the voice of the book reminded me of very proper English books. He was adorable.

If you want something I think is slightly similar Miss Pettigrew (coincidental name) lives for a day. VERY CUTE!!

Right now I'm reading a book called The Course of Love by Alain de Botton. He's a philosopher and this is a novel literally about a couple and how they met and how they live BUT the nuances are what make is three cuts about the norm. Plus interspersed between these vignettes (than not only any couple but any human being can relate to) are these philosophical musings on the human condition and why we do what we do and it's all pertinent. The book is short but very solid with ideas and the writing is incredible, witty and super smart (almost too smart for this girl).

I ordered Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. I didn't realize that it was such an old book (1938), but I do remember the movie coming out. I think the book (by Winifred Watson) was re-released in 2008, which is probably why I thought it was newer. Thanks for the suggestion!

OOOh that makes me so happy!! I can't wait to hear what you think!