Major Pettigrew's Last Stand discussion

As I'm reading this book, I'm finding a bit too much description. Simonson seems to enjoy describing every detail in a scene. I could do without some of the description. I admit that it's well done, but is so much needed?

BTW, I like Simonson's style of writing. She certainly has a flair for expressing herself. Her style is quite sophisticated but it's still easy to read. For example, she describes the shore: "... the expanse of quilted brown sand that signaled low tide." How clever to describe it as "quilted"!

I thought this book was pretty much perfect as it stands.

I wouldn't change a thing.

There are little gems and glimpses of wonderful language mixed throughout this proper British novel. And I loved the beginning, it was what I wanted, a first Chapter that fulfilled my great expectations. As far as I am concerned the first Chapter was by far the most luminous and interesting. The rest of the book didn't quite match up to the beginning.

My full review (contains spoilers)
http://awifeofbookclubblog.blogspot.c...

Yes, Sara, I remember being excited at the beginning of the book, thinking that I had found a compelling read. However it did slow down a bit after that. Major Pettigrew's dry wit was still there but not as often. Nevertheless it was still an enjoyable story.

I loved this book, and wouldn't change a word.

The story moves slow but steady. I did feel certain parts are written with a little too much description. But it nowhere affects the beauty of the book.

The book was enjoyable throughout for me. The fantastic beginning is a great hook for me but I was already excited about reading it. The different pace, what some call "slow", is, I think, the show of growth or depth to the characters. And when they grow they become more likable. I didn't like the son for most of the novel but by the end I loved almost everyone! Well, maybe not the vicar's wife.

Lori wrote: "The book was enjoyable throughout for me. The fantastic beginning is a great hook for me but I was already excited about reading it. The different pace, what some call "slow", is, I think, the show..."

Yes, Lori, it was a wonderfully written book. And yes, the beginning certainly was a great "hook". The hook didn't disappoint even though I remember that things did slow down a bit after the opening hook.

I thought it was great. I live in England, so with the descriptions I could very clearly see exactly what he was seeing and know his surroundings. It was more like watching a movie than reading. I absolutely loved it.

Someone else in my book club recommended this book and I thought I wouldn't like it for this very reason. But I found that I actually appreciated the rich description which helped me enjoy the story even more.

Lori wrote: "The book was enjoyable throughout for me. The fantastic beginning is a great hook for me but I was already excited about reading it. The different pace, what some call "slow", is, I think, the show..."

Lori, I completely agree, I wanted to ring the son's neck. Fortunately, by the end he grew up and I was able to like him.

I agree with the posts here -- I found the writing beautiful and evocative.

I'm not a fan of over descriptive writing. It's my number one complaint. I don't remember wanting to throw the book across the room, so if there were long descriptive paragraghs they didn't bother me. I think that most books are a bit slow in place. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand was a great story.

Yes!

I love the British descriptive writing, the way language is used. Liked it a lot.

While I did like the story,for the most part, I did get bogged down with the descriptive detail. All in all, it was sort of a bittersweet tale.

I didn't mind the description, the most of the story was very trite and stereotypical.

There was one part at which the description gave me a problem, the scene at the end of the dance. That whole bit became a muddle, and I became confused. Other than that, no, I loved the descriptions which often led to some brilliantly wry observation.

I liked this book because it's about my age group!:) The descriptions were a bit heavy, but it was such a delight to read something light & whimsical about elders. How refreshing. Dee

Loved the book. Loved the subtle humor in the style.

I really respect the way Mrs. Simonson told this story. She's very gifted! Although there is a great deal of description, she crafted it so beautifully that the story isn't encumbered in any way. Such a charming read!

I loved this book and cannot wait for her second novel! I think every word was perfect.

I thought the writing was in sync with the Majors personality. Wouldn't have changed anything.

Major Pettigrew with all the pomp and circumstance of a proper english gentleman! I love the discriptions in this book, not to happy with the duck diabolical, the Major and I would have a heated discussion about spotsmanship and lack of... I can see myself rereading "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" agin and...

I would not omit a single word from this book!

I liked it the way it was.

I liked it as is. It was "slow moving", which is another way of saying it has lots of description. But then,not all books need to move along at breakneck speed. I thought the pacing was just perfect for the book.

Wouldn't change a word of this book! The lovely, descriptive text helped me fully imagine the village, the club, the seashore, etc... Funny thing is, there was never a complete description of the Major, himself. There were bits and pieces, here and there, but never a full-blown description. Of course, that didn't stop me from imagining him to be rather handsome, in a John Cleese-in-his-prime sort of way! Besides the gratuitous American-bashing, I LOVED THIS BOOK! And yes, I know that the author is married to an American and is raising her two children here... :)

I loved it -- but then again, I love the way British writers turn a phrase. Sometimes the most trivial statements can be phrased in a way that adds humor or insight into a character or situation. I'm not a fan of overly descriptive writing that Jonathan Franzen gets mired in, but I liked Simonson's style.

Adored this book as is!

I don't know about omitting any descriptions or details because I enjoyed this book tremendously and, if it did slow down, I didn't notice because I was enchanted by everything!

JulieLaLa wrote: "I don't know about omitting any descriptions or details because I enjoyed this book tremendously and, if it did slow down, I didn't notice because I was enchanted by everything!"

Ditto! :)

Absolutely every description in this book enhanced it! I wouldn't change a word. It was GRAND!

I loved the book, loved the major's dry wit, the cast of characters, and adored Mrs. Ali. The story deepened--and darkened a bit--as it went on. The only real misgiving I walked away with was that the climax seemed drawn out longer than I would have liked, leaving me somewhat fatigued when I got to the end. But--my God!--just excellent writing up to that point.

Her writing is so exquisite, I found it hard to believe this was Simonson's first published novel. It did take me a while to get used to the pace, which is slower than most comtemporary novels. But once I adapted, I enjoyed every word.

No! I would not have missed a word! Wonderful book.

I thought that in the beginning of the book the descriptions were overdone but as the book went on the pace picked up and the story was carried by the characters. For some reason the arrival of Sandy the American fiance of Roger signaled the end of the verbosity.

I normally don't enjoy a book that goes too deep into descriptions (I get bored easily), but I found in this book I enjoyed it! I fell in love with all of the characters because of how descriptive Simonson wrote. It made me think about my grandparents, all of their friends and I wondered if they had same type of "clicks". A great book and when I finished reading I always had a smile on my face.

i think if you removed the descriptive passages it would disappear into the morass of chick-lit, personally.

Loved the book all the way through. Such a sweet love story for two taking a second chance.

No, this book was utterly delightful.

Why is it that so many people want details cut out of everything? Do you really want a novel to be reduced to dialogue? I loved the description. I felt as if I could see everything in my head, which is how I prefer it. I tend to have half a dozen books going at a time now that I am retired, but Major Pettigrew was the one that hogged the lion's share of my time and attention until I finished it. Marvelous!