Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I haven't been enjoying romance books for some time. And it's not that I've never liked them, I used to enjoy them very much. I keep trying though. I thought that perhaps it's that I prefer stories where the main protagonist is an interesting woman and more of a plot than just falling in love. (chick-lit)

But now I realize, I'm looking for older people falling in love! (I'm 62.) I absolutely adored this book!

Very well-written story of two older people slowly getting together despite the racial and cultural barriers that the younger people around them cling to.
Major Pettigrew's voice in this novel is so droll and whimsical, you can't help but love him.
A very engaging read for people who would enjoy a low-key romance plot within a broader theme of social commentary.

Lots of buzz about this book in the blogosphere and well deserved, I'd say.

Major Pettigrew is Atticus Finch in his small English village. His wife is dead and, though he speaks with his son, he despairs at times of their relationship. The village is on the verge of change and Pettigrew and his fellow villagers are wrestling with what changes are acceptable and which are not.

Pettigrew is an admirable character in oh-so-many ways, and that is one of the charms of the books. But it is also his ability to find wry humor in most situations that makes his an endearing character.

I loved this book and I'd love to hear what others think about it.

Absolutely lovely. In a British way, all prim and proper, and hard sometimes, but just ... bloody lovely. Basically, it is not even the story, although it is sweet (the major of the title is a widower and retired, at 68, and ends up getting together with a Pakistani lady because both love literature, among other things), but the way it is told.
It made me miss England. Even in the winter.