Last month we read Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. It was good. It certainly wasn't the best of literature, but still solid. In reading reviews, the word that comes up most is "quiet". That seems about right.
I couldn't get a good handle on a time frame. It mentioned several things that made me think current day, but the entire vibe was very old fashioned. I realize that was part of the point of the book, but it messed with my head to the point that it continually pulled me out of the story. The characters in the book were also not very nice. I found most of them repugnant. The Major's son? Horrid. Mrs. Ali's family? Ew. A good portion of the village people (heh. village people...)? A mixture between clueless and evil. It made it hard to want to see anyone prosper in any sort of way. The Major and Mrs. Ali, though. They seemed to be the only level headed people in all of England.
I did get wrapped up in their love story. I did want to see how it all played out. I did want to see how the Major's prim and proper life was going to continue to be unraveled. And, negatives aside, I kept wanting to read, so there's that.
The ending, though. I felt emotionally cheated. I really hated that she tied up the endings in SUCH a tidy manner. There was some real room to leave things a tad messy, but with room for growth. There were dropped story lines and things that were WAY too conveniently wrapped up. One of the main story lines involved a family heirloom and the way she treated that at the end really frustrated me. It was the one wrap up that really had me frustrated; more than the son, more than the messy, crazy family of Mrs. Ali, more than the tidy wrap up of the village. I really thought it was handled in a very pedestrian way and should have been a much stronger ending.
Next up is Alice I Have Been. Can I admit that I've never actually read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland? I'm not even sure I've seen the Disney movie version the entire way through. So this may be a challenge for me. I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised by it all.
(a question of time, depeche mode)
10 clever comments:
Really? Wow. We've got the movie if you want to borrow it. Both Wonderland and Though the Looking Glass are pretty quick reads though, you could easily squeeze them in this month instead.
Is this a good time to throw in "and I've never felt the need"? No?
I don't like to be emotionally cheated. I may stay away from that one. Unsatisfying endings are so...unsatisfying.
I'm pretty sure I've read Through the Looking Glass. It was when I was a kid, though, so I don't remember much of it. Except the Jabberwocky. My Alice in Wonderland lore is a composite of half-(quarter-)remembered things. Between the movies and the books and the rumors, I think I pretty much have it covered.
Same. I feel like I know the story enough anyway, I'm not feeling cheated.
How happy was I to find your comment today! Thanks for thinking of me. Yes. I have been gone, but just busy! My mom came for three weeks, then I drove to Utah for a wedding, then I returned with a major flu/cold that put me on the couch for a couple of days, then my brother and sister in law have been here visiting for 5 days--whirlwind, I tell you! I need a nap. And then maybe I can get back to my computer and catch up.
By the way, I like you new picture posts. They are fun.
Shoot! I forgot! You may be coming to Mesa? That's fantastic! Can we visit if you do???
Yay! You're alive! I'm so happy that it wasn't something tragic. We MAY be coming to Mesa. My SIL is getting married and we're trying to figure out a way to get down there. Plus I'm craving real Mexican food like crazy! :)
Email me your email and I'll keep you posted? drawntotheflame@gmail.com
well, now I don't feel left out... I keep finding out more about Major Pettigrew... eh? sounds okay, I guess. I'm more of a fantasy-minded Alice in Wonderland sort of girl... I hope it will be good.
And um, yeah Depeche Mode? Tawnya, do you realize how groovy you are? My friend and I saw them in concert in SLC back in the day... it was AWESOME! I am lovin' your music videos here.
Oooooo. I'm excited for your book pick! I love that we all have such varied tastes...
Ah, Depeche Mode. I talk a LOT about music on here. It's so very big in my life. Isaac and I went to see DM about a year ago. GREAT concert. (see here: http://drawntotheflame.blogspot.com/2009/08/try-walking-in-my-shoes.html) and as an aside? I just did a search for DM while looking for that post and they came up a lot. Huh.
I loved how you mentioned the time frame. I totally forgot about that. I remember getting so distracted by it that I had to look in the published dates a few times to make sure I wasn't missing something.
Sorry I've been such a slacker. I've so much to catch up on your blog because of it. GRRR. good thing you tell such a good story or I'd get bored!
I'm super excited to read Alice this month. I haven't gotten it yet, but it's right up my ally. I have the Jsbberwokky memorized and it was super interesting to see the johnny depp Alice movie. Hmmmm...It probably won't play any part in it, but it still interests me.
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