Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Winifred Watson's Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is an absolutely charming story.  Reading it put me in mind of those old B&W films from the 1930s with handsome leading men and elegant actresses dressed to the nines who manage to get into madcap situations, but it all ends happily.  It's the perfect book for a dreary day or a little pick-me-up.  It's fairy tale for grownups really, and I loved it.

Frumpy and forty, poor Miss Pettigrew is barely getting by.  She's on her last penny and the rent is coming due.  Her last hope is to find work as a governess.  When she's given the name and address of a Miss LaFosse, her world will change forever.  She expects to apply for a job looking after children, but Miss LaFosse is anything but matronly.  She's greeted at the door by a beautiful young woman in a negligee who's in a bit of a tight spot.  There's a young man in her bed, and she needs to get rid of him.  It's all quite shocking for Miss Pettigrew, but she rises to the challenge.  No sooner is one man out the door than another is knocking to come in. 

The story takes place over the course of a day and each chapter covers a few hours.  Miss Pettigrew truly does live for a day.  In a day she'll be transformed from a lonely, middle-aged woman to someone who's beautiful in her own right and no longer alone.  While Guinevere (Miss P.) helps Delysia (Miss L.) juggle her entourage of men, Delysia will take Guinevere under her wing.  Miss Pettigrew had a very conservative upbringing, but she's bright.  It's almost comical how she manages to help Delysia out of scrapes and choose the right man.  And maybe there is even a happy ending for Miss Pettigrew, too.

The book was originally published in 1938 and must have raised a few eyebrows--such decadence.  But it is really a very lovely story and I bet it was very appealing to readers then, too.  Iliana recently posted a few passages from the book, so go check those out.  The book is now published (was rediscovered actually) by Persephone Books.  Happily this is one of the titles they've chosen to reissue as a "Persephone Classic" with new cover designs.  They'll be available in bookstores here in the US (yay--since postage from the UK is rather exorbitant), and already Amazon is selling Miss Pettigrew for the low price of just over $10, so no need to feel guilty being tempted by the book!  And don't forget the upcoming movie version.  You can see the trailer here.  The movie looks as yummy to watch as the book was to read! 

Comments

[Andi]

Must get my hands on this one! I need more new books like a hole in the head, but I don't care!!!

[iliana]

I've managed to stay away from the trailer just because I don't want any images from the movie while I'm reading the book. Isn't it fabulous? I don't want it to end so I'm pacing myself :)

[Sam]

I read the book back in the fall and it was one of my few keepers. I can't wait for the movie.

[Matt]

Same here, I bypass the trailer until I have read the book. Same thing for Starting out in the Evening. the film based on a novel about a grad student who restores the fame of a writer.

[litlove]

I own a copy of this as I picked it up on a whim years ago. I'm so glad to read your lovely review and very encouraged to read it on a day when I need a little lift.

[Lazy Cow]

Oh dear, I must be the only one not feeling the Pettigrew love. I read it this week (thank goodnesss I didn't buy it) and well, disliked it intensely, to be polite. I was very disappointed with myself as I wanted to love it, like everyone else. Just expected...more.

[Danielle]

Andi--Surely there's no such thing as too many books? Well, that's what I've been trying to convince myself of anyway.
Iliana--I had it sitting on my nightstand for a while, but once I got into it I didn't want to put it down. I did manage to space it out over a few days, though. Check out the trailer when you finish--it looks good.
Sam--I rarely go to movies when they come out at the theater, but I might have to make an exception for this one--waiting for the video will take too long!
Matt--I try not to see movies before reading books, but I admit I had to see the trailer at least. I'm not familiar with Starting Out in the Evening--I'll have to check it out!
Litlove--A very nice story indeed. It's the perfect comfort read when you just want something nice.
Lazy Cow--That certainly happens sometimes and no one is wrong in these situations, since it is all so subjective. I didn't enjoy the Eccles book that I finished last week as much as I would have liked to, yet it got good reviews and I bet everyone else who reads it will like it much more than me. Not sure what happened, but I just didn't take to it. Like you I was glad it was a library book.

[Stefanie]

Are you and Iliana are conspiring to get everyone to read Miss Pettigrew? The book sounds so wonderful. It sounds sort of Barbara Pym -like in a way.

[Kitty]

I'm so glad you liked "Miss Pettigrew"; I adored it and have given it as a gift to SO MANY PEOPLE. So far, everyone I've given it to has loved it as much as I do!

Sorry Lazy Cow didn't like it but that does happen sometimes; I think it's possible to hear so much about a book or movie that your expectations are raised to unmeetable levels. This is why I am the only person on earth who doesn't like "E.T."

[Jaimie]

How fun! And a movie coming out too! I must add this one to the list and read it before I see it!

[Dorothy W.]

Well, this one sounds fun! It's good to have some light, fun reading on hand for when you're in the mood, and I'm glad Persephone made it available.

[Danielle]

Stefanie--Yes, it is a very gentle read. I don't want to say it's dated, but it set very firmly in that era.
Kitty--There is something nice and safe about this book--I can think of several people who might like it as well. And I think you're right--when a book gets too much hyle it can be hard sometimes to live up to its reputation. I think everyone's encountered a few of those.
Jaimie--I hope to see the movie in the theater, so I made sure to read it first as well.
Dorothy--Definitely a great comfort read! And it is nice that these classic editions will be available over here and at cheaper prices than the regular Persephones! If I didn't already own this I think I would definitely buy the reissued version.

[Carl V.]

I definitely want to get this one. Your thoughts put me in mind of the great Thin Man film series. I had heard of this before and it gives me a perfect excuse to finally buy something from Persephone books.

[Simon Thomas]

Re-read this novel the other day, and loved it all over again! So good. Can't wait for the film to hit British shores.

[Danielle]

Carl--Persephone books are so lovelu! Are you going to buy the edition with the dove grey cover or the new classic edition with the illustration? I hope you enjoy it! I've heard of the Thin Man--I'll have to check it out if it has a similar feel to it, I think I might like it.
Simon--This is definitely a keeper! It's nice to just read something happy sometimes. I'm looking forward to the movie as well.

[ada]

this was a wonderful lighthearted read. I've read it twice now. The language is very sweet and cutesy as was other writing of the time. The movie was also very complimentary of the novel.

[Vipula]

I watched the movie yesterday and it was so enjoyable - i am now aching to read the book