by Winifred Watson
ages: adult
First sentence: “Miss Pettigrew pushed open the door of the employment agency and went in as the clock struck a quarter past nine.”
Support your local independent bookstore: buy it there!
This book totally and completely charmed me.
It the story of basically twenty-four hours in the life of Miss Guinevere Pettigrew — forty years old, spinster, very bad governess — which she inadvertently (she answered the wrong ad at the employment agency) ends up spending with London socialite Delysia LaFosse — scatterbrained, sweet, and very indecisive — and it changes her life. Instead of being dowdy and proper, she experiences how “the other half lives”, and learns to let her primness and dowdiness go.
There’s so much to enjoy: from Miss Pettigrew’s initial hesitance with the entire situation, her realization that she’s very much out of her element, to her brazen embracing of that life, and her guiding poor Delysia through it. Miss Pettigrew is not really educated or even all that witty, but she’s got a good head on her shoulders and isn’t afraid — after an adjustment and acceptance of her present situation — to use it.
The book isn’t as delightfully funny as the movie (yes, I saw that first), and there’s a tad bit of racism in it that made me slightly uncomfortable (it was written in the 1930s, but that’s no excuse), and I do have to wonder at the “make yourself up and the world will be better”. But for the moments of pure pleasure, and because thoroughly charming that everything is forgiven. Especially since I read the book with a huge smile on my face.
Completely and utterly charming.
The Book Nut 
I loved the book and loved the movie. But, I was surprised at how different they were. (I read the book first.)
LikeLike
I enjoyed the movie as well, and would very much like to read the book, thanks for the review!
LikeLike
I, too, have seen the film. I admit that I wasn't all that interested in the read, but I think I will pick it up after all. thanks for your post.
LikeLike
loved, loved, loved this book. Especially all the vintage looking illustrations. But really I ADORED the movie. Who doesn't love Amy Adams?
LikeLike
Trish — you're right; I didn't notice the first couple times through the movie, but this time I did. There really is a darker undertone than in the book.
And Michelle — I adored the movie, too. Though I think I loved Frances McDormand's portrayal of Miss Pettigrew best. Though Amy Adams was perfect for the part. (And the guy who played Michael?? *swoon*
LikeLike
I've wanted to read this ever since I saw the movie, but I haven't paid money for the book yet. I did by the soundtrack, though. :p
LikeLike
and there's a tad bit of racism in it that made me slightly uncomfortable (it was written in the 1930s, but that's no excuse)
So glad to see that here. People seem to dismiss any kind of racism simply because it was more commonly expressed then than it is now but that's crazy and frankly alarming.
It's a charming book indeed, like a bottle of champagne put into words, but for me it's not a great book as I was bothered reading it, and not in a good way.
The movie is spectacular and much more well-rounded, I think.
LikeLike