Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
by Winifred Watson
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Description
Set in 1930s London, Winifred Watson's Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day recounts twenty-four hours in the life of a governess who turns up for a very unexpected first day at work. Watson's comedic, light-hearted novel is read by Academy Award-winning actress Frances McDormand, who plays Miss Pettigrew in the 2008 film production. Middle-aged governess Guinevere Pettigrew visits her employment agency one morning and is mistakenly sent to the glitzy home of a nightclub singer. Miss Pettigrew show more meets the glamorous Miss Delysia LaFosse and embarks on a whirlwind adventure. These two very different women soon become friends, and Miss Pettigrew proves to be the perfect companion. Instead of having to look after unruly children, Miss Pettigrew spends her evening at a party. But what will happen when the day finally ends? show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
amanda4242 Both books are sure to cheer up anyone having a miserable day.
30
StarryNightElf Both have a fairy godmother figure.
SylviaC Miss Pettigrew and Elfrida have similar live-for-the-moment attitudes.
by anonymous user
by anonymous user
Member Reviews
Winifred Watson's classic novel of 1938, 'Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day', is a satire on the social scene of the 1930s, when the Bright Young Things held court. Miss Pettigrew is of indeterminate middle age, a spinster gentlewoman who has had to work to earn her keep, but isn't very good at it. We meet her in dire straits, unemployed and undernourished, on her way to an interview for a potential job.
When 'Miss Pettigrew' was first offered for publication, Watson was better known for the type of steamy, working class historical romance that Catherine Cookson later made her own. Her publisher Methuen was nervous about the change in direction that 'Miss Pettigrew' represented and so Watson wrote another pot boiler, while at the same time show more criticising their reluctance to publish the book she considered to be her best work. She was right. Both novels were published in 1938 and 'Miss Pettigrew' outstripped 'Upyonder', becoming an international success.
Bigoted views about Jewish people and Italians aside, it's a charming, clever and hilarious book. Its title character is a delightful blend of innocence and mischief, her thus-far sheltered existence belying her perception and ability to command all manner of tricky situations.
Over a period of less than 24 hours, she becomes indispensable in the life of the young woman whose bachelorette flat with its state of the art all-electric modcons she arrives at thinking she's going to be interviewed for a job. Delysia LaFosse (a stage name of monumental brilliance) has three men on the go, something that scandalises Miss Pettigrew initially. She soon accepts the modern ways of her hostess and is rapidly introduced to a social whirl of intrigues, alcohol and drugs. The scene in which Miss LaFosse thrusts a packet of powder onto Miss Pettigrew's lap and she misidentifies it as Beecham's made me laugh out loud. Quite a few things made me laugh out loud. It's a wonderful cheeky wink of a book.
The bravura with which Miss Pettigrew rises to the occasion of her new circumstance, finding inner strengths from her experiences as a governess of sorts in the houses of the wealthy, is stellar. Watson writes everything from Miss Pettigrew's perspective, so we get to hear her inner thoughts as well as witness the impact her forthrightness has on others and herself. The story is pacey, but never rushed. The characters are larger than life, but never unbelievable. The spearing of sexual politics, the appreciation of the change in social morals, and the sense that social boundaries are beginning to relax all add to the depth of what at first glance appears to be a frothy confection of a novel.
She so enjoys her foray into the world of the Bright Young Things, relishing the acceptance a change in clothing, hairstyle and makeup garners her, that she almost forgets she will have to return to real life. Her inner thoughts reveal to us the hardships she has suffered, from a restrictive childhood to the drudgery of needing to work and not being able to hold down a job, and in the way her dowdiness gives others silent permission to dismiss her or to bully her. It's no wonder she embraces her time in the social spotlight so readily. I liked the way Delysia and her friends treated Miss Pettigrew, too, with acceptance and genuine liking, something that is due to their approach to life but also to the freedom Miss Pettigrew begins to feel, permitting her to be herself.
There was something of 'The Making of a Marchioness' about this story, except with more realism. Watson doesn't overdo Miss Pettigrew's backstory, but the detail is enough to recognise it as the kind of life many women experienced in the interwar years. Miss Pettigrew would have come of age as the First World War ended, a time when young men were thin on the ground.
It was only 17 hours in terms of the story, but I will miss spending time with Miss Pettigrew and Miss LaFosse. show less
When 'Miss Pettigrew' was first offered for publication, Watson was better known for the type of steamy, working class historical romance that Catherine Cookson later made her own. Her publisher Methuen was nervous about the change in direction that 'Miss Pettigrew' represented and so Watson wrote another pot boiler, while at the same time show more criticising their reluctance to publish the book she considered to be her best work. She was right. Both novels were published in 1938 and 'Miss Pettigrew' outstripped 'Upyonder', becoming an international success.
Bigoted views about Jewish people and Italians aside, it's a charming, clever and hilarious book. Its title character is a delightful blend of innocence and mischief, her thus-far sheltered existence belying her perception and ability to command all manner of tricky situations.
Over a period of less than 24 hours, she becomes indispensable in the life of the young woman whose bachelorette flat with its state of the art all-electric modcons she arrives at thinking she's going to be interviewed for a job. Delysia LaFosse (a stage name of monumental brilliance) has three men on the go, something that scandalises Miss Pettigrew initially. She soon accepts the modern ways of her hostess and is rapidly introduced to a social whirl of intrigues, alcohol and drugs. The scene in which Miss LaFosse thrusts a packet of powder onto Miss Pettigrew's lap and she misidentifies it as Beecham's made me laugh out loud. Quite a few things made me laugh out loud. It's a wonderful cheeky wink of a book.
The bravura with which Miss Pettigrew rises to the occasion of her new circumstance, finding inner strengths from her experiences as a governess of sorts in the houses of the wealthy, is stellar. Watson writes everything from Miss Pettigrew's perspective, so we get to hear her inner thoughts as well as witness the impact her forthrightness has on others and herself. The story is pacey, but never rushed. The characters are larger than life, but never unbelievable. The spearing of sexual politics, the appreciation of the change in social morals, and the sense that social boundaries are beginning to relax all add to the depth of what at first glance appears to be a frothy confection of a novel.
She so enjoys her foray into the world of the Bright Young Things, relishing the acceptance a change in clothing, hairstyle and makeup garners her, that she almost forgets she will have to return to real life. Her inner thoughts reveal to us the hardships she has suffered, from a restrictive childhood to the drudgery of needing to work and not being able to hold down a job, and in the way her dowdiness gives others silent permission to dismiss her or to bully her. It's no wonder she embraces her time in the social spotlight so readily. I liked the way Delysia and her friends treated Miss Pettigrew, too, with acceptance and genuine liking, something that is due to their approach to life but also to the freedom Miss Pettigrew begins to feel, permitting her to be herself.
There was something of 'The Making of a Marchioness' about this story, except with more realism. Watson doesn't overdo Miss Pettigrew's backstory, but the detail is enough to recognise it as the kind of life many women experienced in the interwar years. Miss Pettigrew would have come of age as the First World War ended, a time when young men were thin on the ground.
It was only 17 hours in terms of the story, but I will miss spending time with Miss Pettigrew and Miss LaFosse. show less
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a book with two settings. It's either a charming, frothy Cinderella-esque fantasy where the eponymous character, teetering on the verge of destitution in 1930s London, sees her life transformed over the course of a single day following an accidental encounter with glamorous nightclub singer Delysia; or a brick-to-the-face of antisemitism, xenophobia, and that weird interwar insistence that what a woman really loves is a man who'll shake her, tell her they're an idiot, and insist that "obviously she needs a little physical correction." Oof. The ratio of froth:yuck was such that I was able to get through the book. But while I've heard so many people recommend this as a much-loved comfort read, I don't show more think I'll be coming back to it. show less
Why have I never heard of this book before? First published in 1938, Miss Pettigrew’s day starts when her employment agency sends her to the wrong address. What follows is twenty-four hours of epiphanies in which she learns about life, courtesy of a nightclub singer. ‘Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day’ by Winifred Watson was a revelation and has quickly claimed its place as one of my favourite novels.
Miss Pettigrew is a governess, not a very good one, and finds herself forced to take jobs as a housemaid or looking after children she would rather not know. Then one day an error leads her to the apartment of Delysia LaFosse, a nightclub singer with a complicated love life. She tries to tell Miss LaFosse she has come about the job, but show more Miss LaFosse does not listen. As the story progresses, no children appear, but by now Miss Pettigrew is proving adept at solving Delysia’s small difficulties.
On the surface, this is a frothy story of gowns, flirting, lipstick, negligées and men, suitable and unsuitable. Beneath the surface, it is a novel about throwing away the bounds of class and venturing into the unknown. It is about taking a deep breath and being brave in order to change your life. I was rooting for Guinevere Pettigrew and was particularly pleased with the ending, as I am sure she was too.
My enjoyment of the novel was supplemented by the gorgeous line drawings, this edition by Persephone features the original illustrations by Mary Thomsom.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/ show less
Miss Pettigrew is a governess, not a very good one, and finds herself forced to take jobs as a housemaid or looking after children she would rather not know. Then one day an error leads her to the apartment of Delysia LaFosse, a nightclub singer with a complicated love life. She tries to tell Miss LaFosse she has come about the job, but show more Miss LaFosse does not listen. As the story progresses, no children appear, but by now Miss Pettigrew is proving adept at solving Delysia’s small difficulties.
On the surface, this is a frothy story of gowns, flirting, lipstick, negligées and men, suitable and unsuitable. Beneath the surface, it is a novel about throwing away the bounds of class and venturing into the unknown. It is about taking a deep breath and being brave in order to change your life. I was rooting for Guinevere Pettigrew and was particularly pleased with the ending, as I am sure she was too.
My enjoyment of the novel was supplemented by the gorgeous line drawings, this edition by Persephone features the original illustrations by Mary Thomsom.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/ show less
"Men are awful," said Miss Dubarry miserably.
"I quite agree," said Miss Pettigrew.
Well, what's not to love about this book? It's a whirlwind of fun and adventure and romance. The rapid-fire dialogue is delicious. Puts me in mind of the dialogue in "His Girl Friday." What I wouldn't give to see this movie in early color starring Cary Grant as Michael, Irene Dunne as Delysia, K. Hepburn as Miss Dubarry, Clark Gable as Nick, and Agnes Moorehead as Miss Pettigrew.
"When you're over thirty-five," lectured Miss Dubarry, "make-up must be sparing. There's nothing worse than a middle-aged woman with too much make-up. It accentuates her age, not lessens it. Only a very young, unlined face can stand the lavish emphasis of too many cosmetics. The show more effect must be delicate, artistic, the possibility never strained that it can, after all, be natural, so that the beholder is left wondering which it is, art or nature."
Brilliant.
I haven't watched the 2008 film yet. I will and I hope it does this delightful book justice. This is the sort of book where you turn the last page with a wistful smile, a misty eye, and deep, satisfying sigh. show less
"I quite agree," said Miss Pettigrew.
Well, what's not to love about this book? It's a whirlwind of fun and adventure and romance. The rapid-fire dialogue is delicious. Puts me in mind of the dialogue in "His Girl Friday." What I wouldn't give to see this movie in early color starring Cary Grant as Michael, Irene Dunne as Delysia, K. Hepburn as Miss Dubarry, Clark Gable as Nick, and Agnes Moorehead as Miss Pettigrew.
"When you're over thirty-five," lectured Miss Dubarry, "make-up must be sparing. There's nothing worse than a middle-aged woman with too much make-up. It accentuates her age, not lessens it. Only a very young, unlined face can stand the lavish emphasis of too many cosmetics. The show more effect must be delicate, artistic, the possibility never strained that it can, after all, be natural, so that the beholder is left wondering which it is, art or nature."
Brilliant.
I haven't watched the 2008 film yet. I will and I hope it does this delightful book justice. This is the sort of book where you turn the last page with a wistful smile, a misty eye, and deep, satisfying sigh. show less
This little gem of a book was a fun read. Watson is a master of witty banter in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (the only one I've read by this author). The bantering back and forth between the characters, and especially Miss Pettigrew, keeps this ultimately feel-good fable from becoming too saccharine.
I loved that this Persephone edition retained the whimsical original illustrations done by Mary Thomson. Why are not more adult books illustrated these days?!
LibraryThing tells me that I've owned this book for ten years -- that's a long time to stay in the TBR. Finally read this because it is on the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list.
I loved that this Persephone edition retained the whimsical original illustrations done by Mary Thomson. Why are not more adult books illustrated these days?!
LibraryThing tells me that I've owned this book for ten years -- that's a long time to stay in the TBR. Finally read this because it is on the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list.
Can other people’s beliefs about us affect our beliefs about ourselves? Can a perfect stranger be a perfect friend? In the world of Miss Pettigrew, yes—for a day anyway.
The story begins when Miss Pettigrew’s employment agency sends her to a luxurious London flat to inquire about a position as a governess. Alone and friendless, Miss Pettigrew is desperate for a job, even if she hates being a governess. But when she arrives at the home of nightclub singer Delysia Lafosse, she doesn’t even get a chance to ask about the job before she’s drafted to help solve Miss Lafosse’s romantic problems—and those of her friends. Before long, she’s drawn into Miss Lafosse’s circle and having experiences she thought were only confined to show more movie screens.
The two central characters were terrific creations. It was wonderful to watch Miss Pettigrew put aside some of her prudery and take on some confidence under the influence of Miss Lafosse. Miss Lafosse just decides on very little evidence that Miss Pettigrew is capable and interesting and a good companion, and that’s what Miss Pettigrew becomes. And Miss Pettigrew assumes that Miss Lafosse can exhibit self-control and make smart choices, and that’s what Miss Lafosse does.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot for its comedy and its light approach to questions of identity and choice. The book doesn’t read like it has something profound to say, but the power of friendship is a profound thing, and we see that through the characters’ actions.
There were a few times when I wanted to scream at Miss Pettigrew for her lack of confidence in herself and in her new friends’ willingness to accept her, but I think that’s part of the story. I can see that these people will embrace her, but Miss Pettigrew can’t; she’s had years of not being embraced, so why would think things would change now? Plus, the class divisions in 1930s London probably made Miss Pettigrew’s worries more well-grounded than they would be today.
My only other complaint is one that I think will only annoy listeners to the audio book but will be less of a problem for print readers. Watson goes way overboard with her adverbs in dialogue (I say critically). Now, in print, my eye might have skimmed right over those words without taking them in (I say thoughtfully), but on audio, they really stuck out (I say disappointedly). I warmly recommend this book, with an encouragement that you seek it out in print, instead of audio.
See my complete review at Shelf Love. show less
The story begins when Miss Pettigrew’s employment agency sends her to a luxurious London flat to inquire about a position as a governess. Alone and friendless, Miss Pettigrew is desperate for a job, even if she hates being a governess. But when she arrives at the home of nightclub singer Delysia Lafosse, she doesn’t even get a chance to ask about the job before she’s drafted to help solve Miss Lafosse’s romantic problems—and those of her friends. Before long, she’s drawn into Miss Lafosse’s circle and having experiences she thought were only confined to show more movie screens.
The two central characters were terrific creations. It was wonderful to watch Miss Pettigrew put aside some of her prudery and take on some confidence under the influence of Miss Lafosse. Miss Lafosse just decides on very little evidence that Miss Pettigrew is capable and interesting and a good companion, and that’s what Miss Pettigrew becomes. And Miss Pettigrew assumes that Miss Lafosse can exhibit self-control and make smart choices, and that’s what Miss Lafosse does.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot for its comedy and its light approach to questions of identity and choice. The book doesn’t read like it has something profound to say, but the power of friendship is a profound thing, and we see that through the characters’ actions.
There were a few times when I wanted to scream at Miss Pettigrew for her lack of confidence in herself and in her new friends’ willingness to accept her, but I think that’s part of the story. I can see that these people will embrace her, but Miss Pettigrew can’t; she’s had years of not being embraced, so why would think things would change now? Plus, the class divisions in 1930s London probably made Miss Pettigrew’s worries more well-grounded than they would be today.
My only other complaint is one that I think will only annoy listeners to the audio book but will be less of a problem for print readers. Watson goes way overboard with her adverbs in dialogue (I say critically). Now, in print, my eye might have skimmed right over those words without taking them in (I say thoughtfully), but on audio, they really stuck out (I say disappointedly). I warmly recommend this book, with an encouragement that you seek it out in print, instead of audio.
See my complete review at Shelf Love. show less
Letto in tre ore. E' un piccolo capolavoro. Ambientato negli anni '30, la protagonista è una donna di 40 anni che va a un colloquio di lavoro sperando di salvarsi dall'ospizio dei poveri. Ma all'indirizzo datole dall'ufficio di collocamento trova tutt'altro. Una giornata: una cantante di night, inseguita da ben tre innamorati, le chiede aiuto per districarsi nelle complicazioni sentimentali e domestiche, e saprà rispondere benissimo con l'esperienza e il buon senso. In un giorno, il riscatto di una vita. Tutto questo in un susseguirsi rocambolesco di eventi, alcolici, dialoghi puntuti. E con un'ironia veramente sensazionale (grandioso quando la protagonista parla con il suo accompagnatore cinquantacinquenne della praticità dei show more mutandoni di lana, contro la nuova biancheria intima di seta, e il passaggio in cui lui, milionario, di fronte alle lamentele di lei per la spesa eccessiva del tassametro, le propone di comprare direttamente il taxi). E' quel tipo di letteratura stile inglese, alla Agatha Cristhie e alla Jane Austen, in cui si mostrano spietatamente le sciocchezze umane con un misto di sarcasmo e adorazione. Veramente, merita leggerlo. Mi ha fatto ridere e un po', da quarantenne, mi ha fatto commuovere. show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
- Original title
- Miss Pettigrew Lives for a day
- Original publication date
- 1938
- People/Characters
- Guinevere Pettigrew; Delysia LaFosse; Phil Goldberg; Nick Caldarelli; Edythe Dubarry; Michael (show all 7); Joe Blomfield
- Important places
- London, England, UK
- Related movies
- Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008 | IMDb)
- First words
- Miss Pettigrew pushed open the door of the employment agency and went in as the clock struck a quarter past nine.
- Quotations
- In a dull, miserable existence her one wild extravagance was her weekly orgy at the cinema, where for over two hours she lived in an enchanted world peopled by beautiful women, handsome heroes, fascinating villains, charming ... (show all)employers, and there were no bullying parents, no appalling offspring to tease, torment, terrify, harry her every waking hour.
What dangerous den of vice had she discovered? She must fly before she lost her virtue. Then her common sense unhappily reminded her that no one, now, would care to deprive her of that possession.
A knock on Miss LaFosse's door heralded adventure. It was not like an ordinary house, where the knocker would be the butcher, or baker or candlestick-maker. A knock on Miss LaFosse's door would mean excitement, drama, a new... (show all) crisis to be dealt with. Oh, if only for once the Lord would be good and cause some miracle to happen to keep her here, to see for one day how life could be lived, so that for all the rest of her dull, uneventful days, when things grew bad, she could look back in her mind and dwell on the time when for one perfect day, she, Miss Pettigrew, lived.
All these years and she had never had the wicked thrill of powdering her nose. Others had experienced that joy. Never she. And all because she lacked courage. All because she had never thought for herself. Powder, thunde... (show all)red her father the curate, the road to damnation
She was not fifty yet, but some day she would be, with no home, no friends, no husband, no children. She had lived a life of spartan chastity and honour. She would still have no home or memories. Miss LaFosse would reach f... (show all)ifty some day. Suppose she reached it equally without home and friends. What then? How full would her memories be?
A common belief in woollen underwear was a bond to shatter the last barrier of constraint.
'The psychology of silk underclothes has not yet been fully considered,' mused Miss Pettigrew happily.
Miss Pettigrew sat savouring to the full a blissful sense of adventure, of wrongdoing: a dashing feeling of being a little fast: a worldly sense of being in the fashion: a wicked feeling of guilty ecstasy. She enjoyed it. She... (show all) enjoyed it very much.
'I do often think,' she said cheerfully, 'that the nicest part is the getting ready.'
'Well, I acted the lady,' said Miss LaFosse. 'No lipstick, no legs showing. You know. Aloof and keep your distance. None of the come-hither about me. I saw him next week with a bitch of a woman, all lipstick, legs and lust.' - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)'I think,' said Miss Pettigrew, 'I have a beau at last.'
- Original language
- English
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