Miss Pettigrew is middle-aged, prim and proper, and out of a job. She has experience as a governess, but the employment agency sends her to an interview to be a maid to a nightclub singer, Ms. LaFosse, who is beautiful and dramatic and attracts many handsome and dangerous men. Miss P is drawn into the excitement and feels like she is truly living for the first time in her life. Lovely, delightful book and a quick read. ( )

This is a fun, sweet, cute book, which reminded me of the 1930's romantic comedies. An out of work middle-aged governess, Miss Pettigrew, is plopped into high society--wealthy, show/nightclub, racy, new money types--and through a variety of mishaps fixes everyone's lives in a day. It is a twist on the Cinderella story that is pretty enjoyable.
Yet I don't understand why it is on the 1001 books to read before you die list. There is no character development as it is all about the funny plot. It was a popular book when published, and when it is read now readers get a sense of nostalgia for these witty people with their silly antics. This is the first 1001 book I read that I questioned the publisher. There are many I've disliked, but I can see their worth. If the publisher thinks it shows a mentality of readers at a certain time/place by popular choice of literature, then I guess it is understandable...but they why isn't Dean Koontz and Danielle Steel on the list? I don't think this is the purpose of the 1001 list, yet I wouldn't say it was a waste of time to read Miss Pettigrew. She provided a fun escape, and I finished it in a few hours. ( )

A highly enjoyable read. Set in the inter-war years, it is a comic tale about a very strait laced governess who finds herself spending the day in the company of a glamorous night club singer with at least three men in her life. Miss Pettigrew starts out shocked by what she sees, but ends up having a thoroughly good time and sowing the seeds for a transformation in her own life.

I think the key ingredient is the contrast that exist between what Miss Pettigrew thinks, and what she says and does. Her inner monologue is restrained by the strict morals that have hitherto underpinned her life, but she is so desperate not to lose what she thinks is her last chance for a job that she ends up having to act like a very different and far more confident person. I know there was a recent movie adaptation of this book and find myself curious as to how they managed to convey the character's inner thoughts. If the film makers did not even try, then much will have been lost.

There are a couple of passing anti-Jewish references which may offend our modern sensibilities. It would be interesting to know how the author Winifred Watson felt about these passages later in life, particularly given that she died as recently as 2002. ( )

Governess out of work in London in the 40's ...Enjoyable read ( )

What a joy reading this book was! So funny! ( )