Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
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Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
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Narrated by:
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Frances McDormand
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By:
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Winifred Watson
Summary
Set in 1930s London, Winifred Watson’s Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day recounts twenty-four hours in the life of a governess who turns up for a very unexpected first day at work. Watson’s comedic, light-hearted novel is read by Academy Award-winning actress Frances McDormand, who plays Miss Pettigrew in the 2008 film production.
Middle-aged governess Guinevere Pettigrew visits her employment agency one morning and is mistakenly sent to the glitzy home of a nightclub singer. Miss Pettigrew meets the glamorous Miss Delysia LaFosse and embarks on a whirlwind adventure. These two very different women soon become friends, and Miss Pettigrew proves to be the perfect companion. Instead of having to look after unruly children, Miss Pettigrew spends her evening at a party. But what will happen when the day finally ends?
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is part of the Persephone Audiobook Collection, a series of forgotten classics including neglected fiction and non-fiction by women writers. First published in 1938, this edition includes a preface by author and retired academic Henrietta Twycross-Martin.
feel good novel for these troubled times
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Joyous
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What a Day!
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A charming story
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A gentle whimsy, it's almost melancholy in places. When each moment of sadness does crop up it's only very brief and helps to explain Miss Pettigrew's current condition and possible future fate. Given their brevity, they cast only the most transient of shadows and overall the book is a warm and sunny delight.
We almost overhear the blossoming of our heroine from shy, downtrodden and faded respectability (albeit of a restricted emotional and financial nature) to masterful management of the potential perils or problems besetting some of her new acquaintances. It makes for a delightful and whimsical listen and I'm sure a similarly little jewel of a find to read. The pacing throughout is perfectly timed with no dragging nor undue hurry to upset our ability to absorb the unfolding events easily. It doesn't feel rushed at any point (though the "action" is fast in places) and I didn't feel there were significant loose ends by the finish.
Though the cast of characters is reasonably large, it's not unnecessarily populous and I can still remember the names and relationships of the entire cast. That's very unusual in any novel, particularly in audio format where not seeing names in print often hinders my ability to recall everyone and how or why they're important in the story. I can't remember any new character being introduced into the tale without them having some part of significance to play in the unfolding of events.
The gradual development of the new experiences Miss Pettigrew has with the people she meets gives each emerging relationship the perfect amount of time to unfold and begin to grow. That makes it easy for the listener to take in and understand the potential importance in her life of each member of her new and growing circle of friends and acquaintances. It also means that the plot unfolds without either undue haste or hindrance.
Don't look for major plot twists here or for many scenes of dramatic tension. Listen instead for a warm and reassuring voice, one which delivers the narration with an acoustic wry smile and benevolent interest in both the tale and the listeners' enjoyment of it. It is an easy listen but you will get the most fun out of it if you listen with intent and attention - it's worth the effort but managed to make me feel that the effort had been well worth it.
A HEA ending is one which is partially guaranteed. Listeners will have few problems imagining for themselves the direction and eventual destination of the romantic path upon which Miss Pettigrew has taken her first ever tentative and clearly exciting steps.
I will undoubtedly listen to this over and again and will be passing on the recommendation to family and friends wherever appropriate. Oh, for such a capable and caring friend in times of need - the world needs more Misses Pettigrew!
Lovely; gently tantalising; thoroughly enjoyable!
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