A charming book with a delightful main character! This screwball comedy from the 1930’s follows Miss Pettigrew as she’s swept up into the world of Delysia LaFosse, a nightclub singer.
Guinevere Pettigrew is a 40ish governess who desperately needs a new placement. She shows up at an apartment in London expecting to find children to take care of. Instead, she finds Delysia, an elegant young woman who needs to get a gentleman caller out of her apartment and enlists Miss Pettigrew’s help. From there, it’s one adventure after another, with Miss Pettigrew swept up in the middle.
Over the course of a day in Miss LaFosse’s company, Miss Pettigrew blossoms. She proves herself smart, loyal, good under pressure, and even might find a beau of her own. Her progression is really fun to read–the more she gets drawn in to the kind of world she’s only ever seen in movies, the more she finds she loves it. This does not remain a fish out of water story for very long–it’s more like a fish finding the right water kind of story.
The friendship that develops between the women is great to read, too. They complement each other nicely, and each has lessons to offer the other. Miss Pettigrew and Miss LaFosse have an excellent rapport, and the way the day winds up for the both of them is sweet and fulfilling.
The dialogue is crisp and very 1930’s, along with the fast pace and lots of supporting characters popping in and out (in very dramatic, theatrical fashion, of course!). Everything hinges on one misunderstanding, and you hope that Miss Pettigrew will keep quiet about it and enjoy her day of really living.
While this book doesn’t share the satirical edge of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos, you might give that one a try if you enjoyed Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. It was definitely in my head as I read this. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons could be another good readalike, for the humor and tone.
–Marie
This post originally appeared on the blog on March 18, 2018
CPL Readers Corner 