Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand follows a retired Major who forms an unlikely friendship with Mrs. Ali, a Pakistani village shopkeeper. Drawn out of his regimented life, the Major is forced to confront modern realities. The two bond over their shared love of literature and the loss of their respective spouses, and their friendship begins to develop into something deeper. However, village society complicates their connection. Though the Major was born in Lahore and Mrs. Ali in Cambridge, the village regards him as its quintessential local and her as a permanent outsider. As the Major has always taken pride in village life, he faces a difficult choice: remain in the place he calls home or pursue a future with Mrs. Ali. The novel explores what happens when one pursues happiness against the constraints of family obligation and tradition. This edition includes a discussion guide.