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owlsongs's review against another edition
4.0
Charming, just absolutely charming. Delightful as the movie in some quite different ways. I wish there were more novels like this one. Since this is a pure comfort read, I might actually go in and redact the aspects I found disturbing (racism, antisemitism, references to domestic abuse) so that I might enjoy its charms without the jarring distress of those sections. I wouldn't ordinarily do such a thing, but I think seeing those bits once is more than enough.
thisisgettingstupid999's review against another edition
1.0
“Now Delysia’s a little devil and there’s times I could flay her alive, and obviously she needs a little physical correction, but I’m the only right man to do it.”
A book, written in the 1930s, about a forty-year-old spinster – I knew it would contain stereotypes that we wouldn’t expect to find today. I was prepared for that and willing to get into the story.
However, once the initial premise (spinster turns up at glamorous nightclub singer’s door and gets sucked into her life) had worn off, very little seemed to happen. There were three men, all who were involved with Delysia (the singer) and who I couldn’t tell apart. There was lots of boring, repetitive dialogue. If you’re going to write a story that’s farcical, at least make it fun.
There were some parts that I did enjoy, such as when Miss Pettigrew gets a makeover, and her scene with Joe in the taxi. But it just wasn’t enough to make up for the sexism, the ageism and the occasional bit of racism (the disparaging comments about Jews being particularly chilling given the time it was written).
The plain woman was homeless; the glamorous one had her rent paid by a man. The implication of the ending is that both women (either directly or indirectly) will be saved by marriage to a man. This is the kind of book from the past that makes me say ‘hooray for feminism!’
A book, written in the 1930s, about a forty-year-old spinster – I knew it would contain stereotypes that we wouldn’t expect to find today. I was prepared for that and willing to get into the story.
However, once the initial premise (spinster turns up at glamorous nightclub singer’s door and gets sucked into her life) had worn off, very little seemed to happen. There were three men, all who were involved with Delysia (the singer) and who I couldn’t tell apart. There was lots of boring, repetitive dialogue. If you’re going to write a story that’s farcical, at least make it fun.
There were some parts that I did enjoy, such as when Miss Pettigrew gets a makeover, and her scene with Joe in the taxi. But it just wasn’t enough to make up for the sexism, the ageism and the occasional bit of racism (the disparaging comments about Jews being particularly chilling given the time it was written).
The plain woman was homeless; the glamorous one had her rent paid by a man. The implication of the ending is that both women (either directly or indirectly) will be saved by marriage to a man. This is the kind of book from the past that makes me say ‘hooray for feminism!’
stacy_wilson's review against another edition
3.0
A cute, short read about a middle-aged British woman whose life blossoms over the course of one day.
cami19's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
michellekb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Sexism
callistabanks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
emleemay's review
4.0
A very entertaining and funny romp through one incredible day that thoroughly changes the life of middle-aged governess, Miss Pettigrew.
Some of the attitudes are dated, of course, including one antisemitic comment and lots of shit about women. But the narrative voice is charming and engaging. I was disappointed to find Watson has no other books in print.
Some of the attitudes are dated, of course, including one antisemitic comment and lots of shit about women. But the narrative voice is charming and engaging. I was disappointed to find Watson has no other books in print.
jess_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so lovely and engaging, I couldn’t put it down. I might have finished this in a day.