<p>^^and it’s her first novel!</p>
<p>^ You might enjoy listening to Helen Simonson talk about (and read from) Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand in this brief video: </p>
<p>[Helen</a> Simonson Videos](<a href=“http://helensimonson.com/tea_and_conversation/videos/]Helen”>http://helensimonson.com/tea_and_conversation/videos/)</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I enjoyed watching the video.</p>
<p>Mary, I remember you (at least, I think it was you) mentioning during some past book club discussion how authors will say that they have no control over their characters: a character will often do as he or she pleases and the author just has to keep up. I notice that Simonson refers to Major Pettigrew in this way. As a non-writer, I find that interesting and the opposite of how I would think character development would work.</p>
<p>^ Yes, I thought of that, too! The quote that you’re thinking of is by William Faulkner: “It begins with a character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with a paper and pencil trying to keep up long enough to put down what he says and does.” </p>
<p>During that same discussion (it was a long time ago–during The Help), we also talked about a similar quote by Alan Bradley (author of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie): “I can’t take any credit for Flavia at all. I’ve never had a character who came that much to life. I’ve had characters that tend to tell you what to do, but Flavia grabbed the controls on page one. She sprung full-blown with all of her attributes–her passion for poison, her father and his history–all in one package. It surprised me.”</p>
<p>The only thing these quotes tell me is that writers are a little bit “touched.” One is reminded of Jack Torrance in “The Shining.” :)</p>
<p>Just kidding, of course. All the authors we’ve discussed have been enormously talented. I can’t even imagine the blood, sweat and tears that must go into writing a book.</p>
<p>I think it was this author…(I’ve already passed my copy on to a friend so I can’t check)…I was reading the comments towards the end of the book, and she said she was wondering as she was writing whether the Major and Mrs. Ali would end up together…I thought that was soo interesting.</p>
<p>Interesting how writers create their stories.
Here is how Simonson named the Major-</p>
<ol>
<li>How do you choose your characters’ names?
Names seem to pop up along with the characters and I find it is very hard to try to impose something else, once a character has introduced himself or herself. I do remember enquiring about a holiday cottage in England and receiving a very polite reply from a Mrs. Pettigrew. I tucked the name away in my head for future use.<br></li>
</ol>
<p>Was anyone else confused by the title which reminded me of so much Custer’s Last Stand, such an American reference for this charming English book.
Some titles hook me, this one did not, actually annoyed me. Your thoughts ? </p>
<p>Re: Kindle, Mary13 your posts, and others, on one of the Kindle threads convinced me I had to get a Kindle, and I LOVE it, but found it disorienting to read without having page references.
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, was my first book on Kindle and had more difficult time remembering the even basic plot, and I think it is related to it being an e-book!</p>
<p>Mary13, it’s great to see all the new first time posters, joining in the book discussion!</p>
<p>CBB- I think we can download these new features to our Kindles.
“If you want to try the new features, you can manually download the software; otherwise, wait and it will soon be a part of a system update.”</p>
<p>[Technolog</a> - Kindle books get ‘real’ page numbers](<a href=“http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/07/6007135-kindle-books-get-real-page-numbers]Technolog”>http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/07/6007135-kindle-books-get-real-page-numbers)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I think this is the part of the interview you are remembering:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The characters really do take on a life of their own for the authors, don’t they?!
Here’s the entire interview: [A</a> conversation with Helen Simonson, author of MAJOR PETTIGREW’S LAST STAND Random House Reader’s Circle](<a href=“http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/rc//2010/11/17/a-conversation-with-helen-simonson-author-of-major-pettigrews-last-stand]A”>http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/rc//2010/11/17/a-conversation-with-helen-simonson-author-of-major-pettigrews-last-stand)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The title didn’t bother me. I thought the military association of “Last Stand” was appropriate given the Major’s backstory, while its unpleasant connotations were negated by the fact that the cover picture on the book is a coat stand. 
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I know what you mean. I love my Kindle too, but the hardest thing to get used to was not being able to flip through a book, dip in here and there, and quickly remind myself of the flow and chronology of events. (Also, unlike nicksmtmom, I can’t pass my copy onto a friend either [until they buy Kindles, that is.]).</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Truthfully, ‘Custer’s Last Stand’ never crossed my mind. I thought the title a play on words given the Major’s military background (yes) but more pointedly directed toward the fact that the Major makes a stand: he loves Mrs. Ali and he will marry. His choice is clearly evident and friends and family can acquiesce - or not. I thought the coat ‘stand’ with their coats and hats almost entwined a great book cover.</p>
<p>from dictionary.com: </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>This comment by Helen Simonson (from the interview linked above by Mary) caught my eye: “… the act of writing and the later interpretation of what the writing meant are mostly disconnected. There are ideas and patterns in this book that my husband or writing group had to point out to me. Of course, I always claimed that I meant to write just the thing they admired, but I was usually fibbing.”</p>
<p>I thought of Mary’s comment re the Churchills (guns)/pairs that don’t quite match and wonder what Simonson would make of it. It seems so fitting whether intentional on Simonson’s part or not. I also had never thought about how much time was spent in travel until Mary commented on it - again, intentional or not?</p>
<p>ignatius, I think Simonson is right on the mark with her comment, and her words would make my old Russian literature professor very happy. He was an inveterate close reader, and would analyze the most minute details in every paragraph, right down to the color of the tablecloth in a particular scene. Finally, one of the students in class said to him, “I don’t get it! There is no way that the author could have had all those ideas in his mind when he wrote that.” The professor replied, “Oh, he didn’t! At least not consciously. Analysis of literature is an analysis of the author’s psyche as well as a study of what is obvious in the text. Just because the author wasn’t aware of the various connections and symbols while writing doesn’t make them any less valid. Those underlying meanings unfold without the author’s realization, merely by virtue of the fact that he is a human being, with the instincts, experiences and emotions that we all share.”</p>
<p>Obviously, I’m paraphrasing my professor’s words. My memory isn’t THAT good. 
But that lecture stayed with me through the years. All of which is a long way of saying in response to ignatius’ question: Not intentional. But true, nonetheless.</p>
<p>Ignatius wrote:
" I also had never thought about how much time was spent in travel until Mary commented on it - again, intentional or not?"</p>
<p>I agree, astute observation, Mary.
Simonson’s description of Mrs Ali’s driving said volumes about Mrs Ali’s personality!</p>
<p>Shall we open the floor for nominations on an April book selection?</p>
<p>Since I am new, would you mind listing what books you have already read and discussed?</p>
<p>Sure! Here is what we’ve read so far:</p>
<p>2009:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/722812-cc-june-summer-book-club-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/722812-cc-june-summer-book-club-selection.html</a> (The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society)</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/739173-dreamers-day-july-cc-summer-book-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/739173-dreamers-day-july-cc-summer-book-selection.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/756770-sarah-s-key-august-cc-summer-book-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/756770-sarah-s-key-august-cc-summer-book-selection.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/775489-american-wife-october-cc-book-club-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/775489-american-wife-october-cc-book-club-selection.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/802971-thirteenth-tale-december-cc-book-club-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/802971-thirteenth-tale-december-cc-book-club-selection.html</a></p>
<p>2010:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/839908-help-february-cc-book-club-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/839908-help-february-cc-book-club-selection.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/874004-shadow-wind-april-cc-book-club-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/874004-shadow-wind-april-cc-book-club-selection.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/921062-elegance-hedgehog-june-cc-book-club-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/921062-elegance-hedgehog-june-cc-book-club-selection.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/950434-let-great-world-spin-august-cc-book-club-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/950434-let-great-world-spin-august-cc-book-club-selection.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/983235-cutting-stone-october-cc-book-club-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/983235-cutting-stone-october-cc-book-club-selection.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1017662-moonstone-december-cc-book-club-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1017662-moonstone-december-cc-book-club-selection.html</a></p>
<p>2011</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1051496-major-pettigrew-s-last-stand-february-cc-book-club-selection.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1051496-major-pettigrew-s-last-stand-february-cc-book-club-selection.html</a></p>
<p>Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
I’m probably the only person who has not read this book. I want to do so before the movie comes out in April. I thought I’d throw out the title, just in case I’m actually not alone and others have been meaning to pick it up.</p>
<p>The Forgotten Garden - Kate Morton
We’ve mentioned this title previously, and the paperback comes out on February 16. Good timing!</p>
<p>The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford
We’ve mentioned this title previously, and the Kindle edition is only $5.00 (for you Kindle users.)</p>
<p>The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot
We’ve never chosen a nonfiction book before. (Paperback doesn’t come out til March 8. I don’t think that is necessarily a problem though.)</p>
<p>The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - Alan Bradley
My local librarians keep recommending this and the reviews on Amazon are good also.</p>
<p>Anyway, I’ve thrown out five titles to start the discussion. Comments and additional titles, please.</p>
<p>Mary - once again thanks for spearheading the CC book club. I look forward to seeing other book suggestions and once again will follow your lead. I’ve enjoyed (and not) books that I might not have picked up. It’s been fun.</p>
<p>I have to confess, I really look forward to the suggestions that others make on this thread. I tend to be boring left to myself. It’s one of the things I love about this thread, it gets me reading books I otherwise might not have picked up. I’ve heard wonderful things about Water for Elephants, I’ll look up the others suggested. Thanks for the suggestions ignatius!</p>
<p>Fate- I have just started Water for Elephants on Kindle- enjoying it, but can’t give opinion about it as a good book for discussion, but I am enjoying it so far. </p>
<p>Also, just sharing two good books, I thoroughly enjoyed. (Not suggesting for book discussion, like you BU I enjoy reading what everyone recommends :)</p>
<p>People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks. (this was well liked on the thread “Best books I’ve read in the Six Months”)</p>
<p>And, boy did I enjoy Polio-An American Story, David Oshinsky — I know this sounds strange, but this was a riveting book,and Winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize in History!
It was recommended by a friend, and I thought this can not be interesting—wrong! </p>
<p>Mary, I want to again thank you for continuing these discussions- wow back to 2009!! Doesn’t that list look impressive, and I would have never read them if not for this book discussion.
Nicksmtmom,Newccuser- and others, so glad to see the group growing WELCOME!!!</p>
<p>ignatius, I was so glad to come back and see a ready-made list! I have not read any of the books you suggested, and they all sound excellent. In fact, as far as I’m concerned, we can just work our way through your recommendations in 2011. :)</p>
<p>I’m game for *Water for Elephants<a href=“and%20the%20Kindle%20edition%20is%20only%20$5.00”>/i</a>. It’s possible that some re-readers might join us to brush up before the movie comes out. But nicksmtmom,newccuser, et al, please chime in and let us know if you have already read the book and/or would prefer that we choose something else.</p>
<p>SJChessMom, thanks for the book suggestions. I’ve read Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, but not People of the Book. I’ve been tempted to read March, but have always decided against it because I didn’t want to tarnish the golden image I have of my beloved Little Women.</p>
<p>Haven’t read Water for Elephants, certainly would be interested in reading it, and also attracted to its 5.00 Kindle price!</p>
<p>Same goes for The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.</p>
<p>I would also like to suggest Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. I own this book and have been waiting to getting around to starting it.</p>
<p>Also, if we wish to go non-fiction, I’ve been dying to get around to reading Three Cups of Tea. However - in honesty I feel that fictional novels are best suited for book club discussion.</p>
<p>Oops sorry I totally missed that we’ve already done “Cutting for Stone” ;)</p>