Book club disagrees on Pettigrew, but "best discussions develop out of disagreements"

Murfreesboro resident Michelle Palmer shared her personal response to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand in a previous article here on our blog. Now, pictured here at far left with the members of her Murfreesboro book club, she returns to talk about their differing opinions of the book:

In the time before there was written word, people told stories: cautionary tales, anecdotes about family history, and legends. People told stories to entertain, to educate, and just to pass the time. In the days before books, the oral tradition was an essential part of society, and as long as there have been stories to tell, there have been people eager to discuss them.

Jump ahead by thousands of years, and we have multimedia that our ancestors couldn’t imagine. One thing remains the same, though: the joy of sharing a good story. I have been a member of a book club of wonderful women for almost a decade, and I was eager to discuss Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand with them this winter.

The group was evenly split between those who did and did not enjoy Major Pettrigrew, and our discussion raised a lot of issues about what we, as individuals, look for in literature. It was surprising how divided our group was: several people felt it was boring, lacked direction and focus, and was not relevant to their lives. They were passionate about their dislike of Major Pettigrew, and were eager to defend their opinions. The rest of the group loved it, with many enjoying the details and minutiae so much that one person commented, “I wished Major Pettigrew could have continued on indefinitely, just so that I could read about the things happening in the Major’s daily life!”

It came down to a difference in what we want in a “good read” – a big, meaty plot, or a book that is character driven. Even though not everyone enjoyed Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, each person came away with something different from the experience of having read it. That’s what makes being part of a community of readers so wonderful.

One Book of Rutherford County serves a vital purpose. Its function is not just to get people reading, but talking about what they read – in essence, a community-wide book club. Like all book clubs, not everyone will love every book that the committee chooses – that’s simply not possible. But that’s what makes literature so interesting. Some of the best discussions develop out of disagreements, because we have a chance to learn about other people’s viewpoints and opinions.

How a person feels about a book is as unique to them as their own fingerprint. We bring our own history, insights, and emotions to each reading experience. A good book can challenge, provoke, and thrill. It can make you cry, laugh out loud, or sigh with contentment. It is my hope that readers will take the spirit of One Book of Rutherford County and carry it with them through the year, because the only thing better than reading a good book is the joy of sharing it.

Michelle Palmer is an avid reader and has been a member of a local book club for ten years. Having worked as a writer and editor since college, she recently began a book blog, michellepalmersbooks.blogspot.com, so that she could share her love of reading with others. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is included on her blog as one of her “Favorite Books of 2010.”

Murfreesboro reader finds important lesson in Major Pettigrew

Murfreesboro resident Michelle Palmer, an avid reader and local fitness instructor, contemplates the lessons readers may find in the pages of Major Pettigrew:

In today’s hustle and bustle world, there are few things that we slow down for anymore. Everything from food to information to books is available to us instantly; we are a nation of people “on the go.” The One Book One Community’s pick for this year, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, shows us the importance of slowing down and enjoying the little things in life.

As a novel, Major Pettigrew is character-driven, not plot driven. In our hurried times, that can be a difficult adjustment. We have become accustomed to action and instant gratification, and events that unfold in Major Pettigrew do so at a leisurely pace. This delightful book is to be savored slowly, like a fine meal. There are no explosions or random acts of violence, and while there is a cliffhanger, it is a literal one, not figurative. That’s not to say that the book doesn’t have humor, action, and drama, but much like other classic novels that have gone before it, they accentuate rather than define the plot.

Set in a small village outside London, Major Pettigrew is almost timeless. While there are signs that the 21st century exists, the old customs and traditions still remain. The main characters, Major Pettigrew and his friend Mrs. Ali, take walks together, and have afternoon tea, and read to each other. They communicate through letters and impromptu visits. Through their eyes, we see the joy of living in the moment, and enjoying each day as it comes.

Much like Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali, to truly enjoy Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, you must set aside that need to rush, and instead appreciate the minutiae of daily life. Take the time to learn about the Major’s quirks and his stuffy British ways, and Mrs. Ali’s struggles with her heritage and family demands. Laugh at the one-liners and dry wit that makes Major Pettigrew such a delightful character. Relish the romance that blossoms between two people bound by a love of reading.

There are many reasons to appreciate the One Book One Community choice for this year, but perhaps the most compelling is that it reminds us, as readers, that sometimes life is more than just the next big thing. Sometimes, life is all the unique little things we find along the way – if we slow down long enough to look for them.

Michelle Palmer is an avid reader and has been a member of a local book club for ten years. Having worked as a writer and editor since college, she recently began a book blog, michellepalmersbooks.blogspot.com, so that she could share her love of reading with others. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is included on her blog as one of her “Favorite Books of 2010.”

Busy Young Mom: Pettigrew Brought My Love for Reading Back to Life

Sarah Porterfield of Read To Succeed admits that this year's One Book selection started out slow for her - at first:

When you have a one-year-old at home and you work full-time, finding precious time to read is a tricky task. If my daughter, Adelyn, is awake, there is to be nothing in my hands that is off-limits to her. My phone, a glass of water, scissors, a book—all are seen in her eyes as things she is entitled to. And this entitlement can lead to a lot of crying, and temper-tantrum-throwing, and all-around not fun stuff for a mother who doesn’t particularly love loud noises.

When she is awake, I keep these things away from her. Often, the TV is on, because as much as I hate loud noises I sometimes hate silence more.

When she goes to sleep, there are dinners to be eaten, rooms to be cleaned, laundry to be done, work to be finished, a husband to be talked to. I get in bed and often I am too tired to read. I want to turn on the TV. I want to watch reruns of shows I have seen hundreds of times.
I want to sleep.

And this leaves little time for reading.

But the thing is, I love to read. I consider myself a writer; I’ve been in love with books since I can remember; there are more books in my house than food; my father is an English professor and published author; I work at a non-profit dedicated to literacy. Books are in my blood.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, this year’s choice for Read To Succeed’s One Book Community Read, has brought my love for reading—reminded me of the solace I find in it—back to life.

I’m on the One Book Committee, and I’ve been integrally involved in the event for months. It has taken me as long to finish Major Pettigrew. This is partly due to the aforementioned list of reasons that reading has taken a backburner in my life, but it’s also because—and I’ll just be honest—it’s not exactly a page-turner. Not in the beginning.

Major Pettigrew is a story of subtlety. Major Pettigrew, himself, is a man who finds power in delicacy and nuance. He is not a man of great excitement. He is, however, a man who loves tea and literature, living a quiet existence in a peaceful English village filled with characters equally preoccupied with manners and dignity and tea-drinking (although they don’t all pull these off as dutifully as Pettigrew).

Reading this book is like being transported into a world in which the TV is never on, where the protagonist would always pick up a book before going off on an adventure, where one-year-olds know more about tea and etiquette than they do about Mickey Mouse and McDonalds.

Major Pettigrew doesn’t become a page-turner until you become engaged in the relationship between Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali, a local Pakistani shopkeeper, and its many challenges begin to infuriate you as much as the couple themselves. You start to root for them, and before you know it you’re going to bed and staying up too late because you want to see them happy, and all-of-the-sudden a seemingly dull story has stolen your heart.

And reminded you why you loved reading so much in the first place.

Sarah Porterfield is the Family Literacy Program Coordinator for Read To Succeed. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Journalism. While at MTSU, Sarah was the editor-in-chief of MTSU's student newspaper The Sidelines and she interned for and was published in The Village Voice in New York. She is newly married and the mother to a one-year-old girl, Adelyn Belle, who provides never-ending content for her parenting blog, NineMonthstoLife.com.

Murfreesboro pastor: Major Pettigrew will "grip your imagination"

Murfreesboro pastor Mike Smith shares his thoughts - and advice - on reading this year's One Book selection:

Do not start reading Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand at night, unless you are prepared to sit up until you finish the book! Helen Simonson’s characters, plot, settings and—above all—dialogue grip your imagination. Before you realize what is happening, you start to care for Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired), Mrs. Jasmina Ali, and the other inhabitants of Edgecombe St. Mary.

The novel may be read in one of two ways. First, and most important, read it as a refined love story. The budding relationship between Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali is at the heart of the novel, but several other love stories play out as well. Each rings true. In fact, you will recognize others (and perhaps yourself) in one or more of the stories. As it turns out, love is not simple, even in a small English village. Love, in fact, takes root, grows, and lives or dies in a challenging environment featuring family histories, religion, careers, compromise, courage and passion.

Second, the novel may be read as a commentary on aging, family, prejudice, religion, ambition, the conflict between preservation and development, and the never-ending difficulty of bridging cultures even when there is the will to try. Don’t panic. Such commentary never intrudes, but instead emerges naturally in the conversations and actions of Major Pettigrew and those around him.

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 representing the highest possible praise, I award Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand a 4.5 (after all, we must reserve some space exclusively for the classics!).

Dr. Michael A. Smith serves as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He also is a historian, writer, editor and teacher and would like someday to achieve respectability as a golfer. Dr. Smith is married to Grace Smith, who teaches ESL in the Rutherford County School System. They have two children and one grandchild.

Murfreesboro book reviewer "so pleased" Major Pettigrew chosen

Murfreesboro resident Diane Scearce shares her thoughts on Major Pettigrew's Last Stand:

I was so pleased to see Major Pettigrew's Last Stand chosen as One Book of Rutherford County's "One Book!" As an avid reader who loves to share recommendations with others (and receive them), I reviewed Major Pettigrew on my blogspot, Cats and a Book. It was also featured in my column as Nashville's Book Examiner. I applaud the One Book committee on this wonderful selection!

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is a lovely book. Charming and funny, Helen Simonson’s first novel is a gem.

Major Pettigrew is of one of the older families in Sussex, England, the sort of quintessential British military man characterized by loyalty to one’s country, character, and politeness above all else. He is stung by his only son’s banking career and attachment to an equally ambitious and far too casual American woman (she called him “Ernest” when first meeting him, instead of his preferred “Major”). He is a widower, and the sudden loss of his only brother, Bertie, brings to mind an array of emotions, some of which he hadn’t expected, particularly with regard to the bequest of a hunting gun which matched his own. Complicating his life was Mrs. Ali, a widowed Pakistani shopkeeper who aroused in him an unexpected but not unwelcome passion.

Simonson does a remarkable job illustrating the messiness of culture, religion, and generation in this complex love story. Her writing is lyrical and wonderfully descriptive, so that the reader can smell the compost as the Major’s neighbor hides between her compost heap and hedge to spy on surveyors on her neighbor’s property, or feel the dampness of the air in the Colonel’s hunting cabin, or see the gaudy imitation flowers at the club dance. The narrative is funny and bittersweet, with the Major's dry humor and the situations that are nearly slapstick but entirely plausible. He describes the waitresses at the club as having "sullen charms" and "culled from the pool of unmotivated young women being spat out by the local school, (who) specialized in a mood of suppressed rage." And when offering commentary on his son's love life, the Major opines, "The human race is all the same when it comes to romantic relations. A startling absence of impulse control combined with complete myopia."

The author is an engaging story-teller, allowing the plot to develop to several points of crescendo, but also providing a pleasing resolution, so that the reader isn’t left to develop her or his own conclusions and suppose what might have occurred. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand raises many issues suitable for book club discussions and there are analogies to be made from the Major’s father’s grand endeavors and Major Pettigrew’s own, so that this book can be read for pure enjoyment, for the study of writing techniques, and for exploring larger topics of religion, culture, and generation differences in the world today.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is one of my favorite reads of 2010. It was published this year by Random House.

About guest blogger Diane Scearce:

Diane Scearce has been a book-lover since toddler-hood, learned to read before starting school, and read War and Peace at age 13. Diane's love of reading and sharing recommendations with friends inspired her to review books she has recently read in catsandabook.blogspot.com. Diane is also an executive coach (www.pointofthecompass.net) a wife, and mom to two teenagers and five cats. She holds a bachelor's degree in government from The College of William and Mary, and a Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University.

One Book Announces 2011 Selection

Major Pettigrow's Last Stand

by Helen Simonson

One Book Community Read invites all adults in Rutherford County to read the same book each winter season. This year’s selection is Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, a novel by Helen Simonson. The One Book initiative is created by Read To Succeed, Linebaugh Library and Barnes & Noble to promote reading and literacy in Rutherford County.

This work of fiction transports readers to present-day England, where Major Ernest Pettigrew, retired and widowed, lives a quiet and principled life. His pleasures include hunting excursions, rounds of golf at the country club, books, and of course, tea. But when his brother dies, he finds himself on a quest for a family heirloom – and in an unlikely friendship with local shopkeeper Jasmine Ali that, if he admits it to himself, seems more important each day. Factor in his boorish son Roger’s more frequent trips home and the encroachment of development on his very back yard, and life has become quite complicated indeed. This book will have you laughing out loud and rooting for the Major to succeed on what you hope will not actually be his “last stand.”

Critics have described the novel as “thoroughly charming” and “refreshing in its optimism and its faith in the transformative possibilities of courtesy and kindness.” The book, Simonson’s debut, made the New York Times bestseller list a month after its March 2010 publication. It also made Oprah’s and Amazon’s top 10 books for 2010. It will be available in paperback next week (November 30^th).

After two years of selecting non-fiction titles for One Book (Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and The Soloist by Steve Lopez), this year’s committee turned to fiction for a change of pace, said Kory Wells, One Book co-chair for this winter’s read. “This book is witty and enjoyable,” said Wells, “but at the same time, it has some great insight about personal relationships that bridge culture, race, religion and class.”

One Book co-chair Kristina Brown suggests that “there is something transformative about a community sharing a book. It’s almost like a good meal shared with friends. We can enjoy it, discuss it, and learn from it together. We might even appreciate the meal so much that we pick up our next book with a whetted appetite.” In fact the One Book Committee will be suggesting additional titles for further reading which will soon be posted at www.readtosucceed.org.

The Learning Circle, First Baptist Church, and the Intercultural & Diversity Affairs Center at MTSU will be collaborating with this year's One Book partners to help get folks in Rutherford reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. Please contact us at 738-READ to work with us on One Book.

What Is One Book?

One Book is a collaborative project of Read To Succeed created to challenge adult readers in Rutherford County to read the same book. The objectives of One Book are to encourage reading among adults, to demonstrate to our children the importance of reading, to unify our community through a shared experience and to highlight an issue of importance by means of a book’s theme or subject matter.

How Can I Get Involved?

There are a number of ways every person and business in Rutherford County can be involved in the One Book experience.

Individuals: Read the book and encourage your friends and family to read it too. Take part in a neighborhood or online discussion of the book (through our Facebook page, blog or forum). If you’re part of a book club, consider having your group read the One Book selection between now and the end of April. If you’ve already read the book, encourage those around you to share in the experience. You can also help by volunteering to join the One Book committee or making a donation at www.readtosucceed.org.

Companies: Companies and workplaces can encourage employees and customers to take the One Book challenge and read. Consider setting up a small display about the book. Give away a copy or two in a company raffle. Give employees a 10-minute “reading break” every day to read the One Book title. Companies can also help further the One Book cause by becoming a sponsor of the project. For more information on One Book corporate sponsorship, contact Ronni Shaw, Read To Succeed Executive Director, at (615)738-READ.

For More on One Book and the 2010-11 Selection – Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand:

One Book Community Read Read To Succeed

One Book Co-Chair: Kory Wells PO Box 12161

Email: korywells@gmail.com Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Phone: 615-898-0063 (615) 738-READ

One Book Co-Chair: Kristina Brown Ronni Shaw

Email: jkrbrown@att.net Email: ronnishaw@readtosucceed.org

Phone: 615-898-1817 Website: www.readtosucceed.org

Online Resources and Information Available:

www.readtosucceed.org: click on One Book

The Read To Succeed Facebook page: Join us on Facebook at Read To Succeed

Read To Succeed, the community literacy collaborative in Rutherford County, will promote reading, with an emphasis on family literacy. This non-profit initiative supports literacy programs and fosters awareness of the importance of reading. Please visit www.readtosucceed.org.

One Book Unveils Rutherford County Read for 2010

One Book Community Read challenges readers of Rutherford County to join together each winter to read a chosen book. This year’s selection is the The Soloist by Steven Lopez. One Book is a collaboration of Read To Succeed, Linebaugh Library, Barnes & Noble and Middle Tennessee State University to promote reading and literacy in Rutherford County.

In his non-fiction work The Soloist, L.A. Times columnist and author Steve Lopez recounts the story of a homeless person he happened by one day, who was coaxing classical music from a tattered violin with just two strings. What began as a good idea for his column turned into a much bigger story and deeper relationship when he discovered that the ragtag soloist, Nathaniel Ayers, was a Julliard-trained musician.

The Soloist is a story of the homeless plight in America as depict in the real life circumstance of Nathaniel Ayers. It is also a tale examining the inner conflicts of those who try to ease the struggle of the homeless as seen in Lopez’s honest portrayal of himself. It’s a wise and poignant tale, sometimes funny, often heart wrenching, concerning the power of music and the struggle for personal dignity in the face of mental illness and the resulting homelessness.

Published in 2008, The Soloist is heralded by critics for its “elegant sparseness” and “humanity” as a literary work of non-fiction and is the subject of a major motion picture starring award-winning actors Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.

“Every year the One Book committee challenges the community to read a book that will draw attention to an issue facing our county,” said Leslie Walker, the One Book chairperson for this winter’s read. “The Soloist tells with real empathy and insight the story of homelessness and mental illness. It also offers us a profound look at the life of people in our own community, who too often go unnoticed and unchampioned.

“The element of music in the book underscores the potential talents and inherent worth of individuals society too often discards and also the makes the story even more meaningful for a Middle Tennessee community like ours, known for its rich musical tradition.”

Read To Succeed, Linebaugh Library, Barnes and Noble and Middle Tennessee State University, in conjunction with encouraging the community to read The Soloist will be promoting an understanding of homelessness and the joys of classical music.

Interested Rutherford County readers, businesses and organizations can learn more about getting involved by joining the One Book Rutherford Facebook page or visiting the One Book Rutherford Blog at http://onebookcommunityread.blogspot.com

What Is One Book of Rutherford County?

One Book is a collaborative project of Read To Succeed, Barnes & Noble, Linebaugh Library System, and MTSU, created to challenge readers in Rutherford County to join in reading the same book. The objectives of One Book are to encourage reading among adults, to demonstrate to our children the importance of reading, to unify our community through a shared experience and to highlight an issue of importance by means of a book’s theme or subject matter.

How Can I Get Involved?

There are a number of ways every person and business in Rutherford County can be involved in the One Book experience.

Individuals: Read the book and encourage your friends and family to read it too. Take part in a neighborhood discussion of the book or participate in one of the events organized by One Book. A calendar of those events will be available on the One Book blog at the One Book Rutherford Facebook page or at onebookcommunityread.blogspot.com. If you’re part of a book club, consider having your group read the One Book selection between now and the end of April. If you’ve already read the book, encourage those around you to share in the experience. You can also help by volunteering to join the One Book committee or making a donation at readtosucceed.org.

Companies: Companies and workplaces can encourage employees and customers to take the One Book challenge and read. They can also help further the One Book cause by becoming a sponsor of the project. For more information on One Book corporate sponsorship, contact Ronni Shaw, Read To Succeed Executive Director at 738-READ.

For More on One Book and Our 2010 Selection – The Soloist:

One Book Community Read

One Book Chair: Leslie Walker

Email: crm2292@bn.com

Read to Succeed

Ronni Shaw

Phone: 615/738-READ

Email: ronnishaw@readtosucceed.org

Website: www.readtosucceed.org

More Online Resources and Information Available:

The One Book Rutherford Facebook page

The One Book Rutherford Blog: http://onebookcommunityread.blogspot.com/