sarahswarbrick's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A delightfully madcap adventure of a story.
adina_zeling's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Antisemitism
alisarae's review
3.0
I had fun reading this surprising piece of chick lit... But as it was published in 1938, it comes with racism, anti-semitism, and domestic violence portrayed in a positive light. I have never read a book that so openly promoted those ways of thinking, so I haven't decided what to think about recommending this book.
fionadonaldsonmcilrath's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
turrean's review against another edition
3.0
Charming! Though at a few points in the novel, you will have to close your eyes, stick your fingers in your ears, and hum loudly while the characters make racist remarks or toss off nonchalant comments about domestic abuse.
olivetoread's review against another edition
3.0
Wowza, I was not expecting the raciness of this book! Scandalous! The story is fun and fast. The bits of racism that kind of randomly show up were a bit like a fly in the soup for me, didn't completely ruin the tale, but were jarring.
poachedeggs's review
4.0
One extra star for the lovely drawings and smell of the book (I don't know how a library book can smell so good but it seems to fit with the whole Cinderella-ish theme of the book!). Miss Pettigrew is also too cute, even if she can be a bit racist...
ricefun's review against another edition
5.0
I already loved the film, and now I'm very pleased with the book. They are both quite different but delightful in their own ways. My friend Patty gave this edition to me when I was moving from Indiana to Kansas, and it has been a perfect companion for my transition. Quick dialogue and fast-paced action all happening in one 24 hour span were truly delightful.
nohoperadio's review against another edition
3.25
All characters are stock, everything that happens is implausible, the prose is artless in all senses, I was charmed anyhow. I’m not sure any author has ever loved her protagonist as much as Winifred Watson loves Miss Pettigrew–she so palpably wants her creation to escape the dreariness imposed by her poverty, conservative upbringing and low self-esteem that the story is just shameless wish-fulfillment. But it’s such earnest wish-fulfillment (and, crucially, with a sense of fun and awareness of how silly it is) that the effect is touching.
This is the beatific voice of the drunk girl who has noticed you’re not enjoying the party and for five minutes makes it her divinely appointed calling to show you that the world is your friend. Let us never close our hearts to this voice.